John H. Cockerill

John ?Jack? Hamilton Cockerill, age 85, of 21 Meyers Ct., Greenville died Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Greenville Memorial Medical Center. Born in Summerville, he was a son of the late John William and Julia Glenn Cockerill. He was married to the late Lucy Barkley Cockerill for more than 56 years. He graduated from Edmunds High School Class of 1940 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. Mr. Cockerill was a Rifle Instructor at Parris Island and later served in the Pacific aboard the USS Canberra during WWII. Afterwards, he served as Vice Commander of the VFW Post in Sumter and was District Commander from 1949-1950. He worked for Industrial Equipment Company in Sumter and American Cord and Webbing Co. After moving to Greenville in 1949, he owned and operated a Pure Oil Service Station. In 1953, he began a 55 year career with what would become Austin Moving and Storage Co. in Greenville. During this time, he served one term as President of the SC Household Movers Association. Mr. Cockerill was also a member of the International Toastmasters Club, where he served one term as President. He was a 44 year member of the Western Carolina?s Model A Club, in which he enjoyed restoring and helping others restore antique Fords. Mr. Cockerill was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church Greenville, where he attended for more than 55 years. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, John G. and Twila Cockerill of Columbia and Bruce E. and Vonnie Cockerill of Taylors; three grandchildren and their spouses, Amanda C. and William J. Ayers, Andrea C. and Kevin M. Kubach, and Jason G. and LeAnn Cockerill; two great-grandchildren; three sisters and their spouses, Louise C. and William H. McGurk of Charleston, Stella C. Barnett of Charleston and Emily C. and Jack A. Watson of Walterboro; one brother and sister-in-law, William S. and Shirley Cockerill of Sumter; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Cockerill was preceded in death by an infant sister, Harriett and his half-brother, Lt. Graham Glenn Guyton, US Army Air Corp, WWII. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown, Greenville. Visitation will also be held Wednesday from Noon until 1:30 pm, at Elmore- Hill-McCreight Funeral Home, 221 Broad St., Sumter, with graveside services at 2:00 pm in Sumter Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Greenville, 847 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601, Salt and Light Church, 2857 South Wise Dr., Sumter, SC 29154, or Western Carolina Model A Ford Club, 6 Crestline Dr., Greenville, SC 29609.