Les was born in Corsicana, Texas on November 6, 1951, to Annie Green Cockrell and Marvin Cockrell. He grew up in Cayuga, Texas where he graduated high school, determined to be a journalist. Through a series of what he would say were fortunate events, Les attended East Texas State University and, upon graduation began his career blending his curiosity with humanity as a writer and reporter.

Throughout his career, Les saw firsthand the best and worst of mankind, and everything in between. This provided Les with a unique perspective on life. He could take any situation and make it make sense and even see the best in it. He knew how to ask the best questions, but mostly, he knew how to listen to the answers.

Les would tell you that the most fortunate event of his life by far was meeting and marrying Diane. Their connection started with the rare instance that he made a minor publication error when he was the Editor of the Grapevine Sun (Les never made publication errors) and she showed up to correct him.

Les and Diane were married on August 19, 1989. Diane was the center of his world until he took his last breath. In marrying Diane, he also gained two daughters, Trisha and Tarrah. And he loved them as his own. This love was most evident in the way he and Diane co-parented Trisha and Tarrah alongside their father and stepmother, Russell and Joy Anderson. Les, Diane, Joy, and Russell were not only committed to raising the girls together, but they were also friends. Through the years they celebrated each other’s triumphs and mourned each other’s sorrows. They took turns celebrating life’s happiness, sitting in hospitals together, and grieving each other’s losses.

Les found his greatest joy in being a grandfather, and nothing made him prouder than being called Pappy. He loved his grandchildren to the moon and back, and then a little more after that. He was quick to help with a school project, make biscuits and gravy for breakfast, or to spoil them with the extra composite softball bat that their parents could not quite justify.

A ripe peach, blackberry cobbler, and a good cup of coffee were a few of Les’s favorite things. Les loved his cat, Buddy, and all the cats that came before him. He was a friend and mentor to anyone who needed help and was always quick to reassure and to lend a hand. He loved all things Americana—Halloween, vintage Valentine’s Day cards, watching a kid playing ball, those who serve and served in the United States Armed Forces.

Les was a good man. His philosophy was uncomplicated: everybody is the same and it’s a simple truth. He will be missed but we know he is in a better place.

Les was preceded in death by his parent, Annie Green Cockrell and Marvin Cockrell.

Les is survived by his wife, Diane Cockrell, his daughters and sons-in-law Trisha and Brandon Earp and Tarrah and Jeff Lett, grandchildren Clay and Meredith Earp, Jesse and Leona Lett, and

Luke Anderson, special friends and co-parents Joy and Russell Anderson, sister and brother-in-law Cynthia and David Hatt, and his nieces and nephews

A memorial service will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Kennedale Sublet Road, Kennedale, Texas 76060 on November 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with a graveside service to follow. Family and friends are welcome to visit beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Les would want you to plant something in your yard and donate to Wise County Meals on Wheels, https://www.mealsonwheelswisecounty.org/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.