Monte Ray Cockrill

Monte R. Cockrill of East Wenatchee,WA, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on October 26,2016. At the time of his passing, Monte was 91 years old. Monte was born at Sage, AR, on May 12, 1925. He was the first born of Audie and Remmel C. Cockrill. Monte grew up in Stella, AR, during the depression era where money was scarce. As a child, he hoed weeds around his grandpa's rural grocery store for ten cents a day and usually gave it right back to his grandpa, buying a Mr. Goodbar and soda pop. At a young age, he started helping his family financially by picking cotton and following the strawberry harvest from Arkansas to Michigan. Sadness touched Monte's life when his sister, Wanda, who was two years younger than him, passed away at age 14 from Bright's Disease. Growing up, he lived near his aunts, uncles, cousins, and they were a big part of his life. He attended school at nearby Mt. Pleasant, where he excelled in basketball, the only sport provided by the school. At the age of 16, Monte left Arkansas with his uncle and cousins in a 1934 Chevy, traveling to Wenatchee, WA, to find work in the orchards. At the age of 17, in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theatre as a Boatswain Mate, 2nd Class, during WWII. He was honorably discharged January 6, 1946. Returning to Wenatchee, he met the love of his life, Imogene Moore and they were married in 1947, making their home in East Wenatchee, WA. Monte worked for centennial Flour Mills, Alcoa, Pittsburgh Plate Glass (St.Louis, MO), Keokuk, and spent 27 years in the trucking industry working for P.I.E. and Silver Eagle Freight Co., retiring in 1989. Sports was a passion of Monte's. He devoted unlimited hours coaching his sons and many others in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. When done with coaching, he spent many years umpiring high school baseball games. In his 50's, Monte took up running and bicycling, competing in many running road races and century and double century bicycle rides with his son, Chet. He continued to run and ride into his mid-80's, with his son, Chet, and grandson, Monte. At 79, Monte, his son, Chet, and grandson, Monte, rode from Wenatchee over the North Cascade Highway to his daughter's home in Bothell on an epic 3-day trip.Many of you have seen him cycling in the area! The last few years he continued his cycling in a local gym until finally riding his bicycle into heaven. He found peace in "Jesus Christ", his Lord. Monte's love for his family was first and foremost in his life. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Imogene; their three children: Monty Kim Cockrill, East Wenatchee, WA, Cheryl Durbin (Mike), Bothell, WA, Chet Cockrill (Donna), East Wenatchee, WA; sister, Kathy Essma (Ray), St. Louis, MO, four grandchildren: Kezia Harvey, Monte Cockrill, Kyle Cockrill and Ryan Durbin. Love and Miss you Sweetheart, Dad, Grandpa. A Celebration of Monte's Life will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Eastmont Baptist Church, 400 South Kentucky, East Wenatchee, WA. Arrangements assisted by Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee, WA

Monte Ray Cockrill

May 12, 1925 - October 26, 2016