Lt. Col. Frederick L. Cockman was born in Youngstown, Ohio on April 16, 1930. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was called to the Lord on April 4, 2009. Fred was an outstanding athlete at Poland High School, Fred lettered in football, track and basketball. After graduating from Poland in 1949, he entered Ohio University where he earned track letters as a freshman and sophomore. A member of the Air Force ROTC while in college, he entered the Air Force after graduation from OU in 1952. As a member of the Air Force he traveled to several bases, in the United States and overseas. He served during the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed in Germany, Turkey, and the Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters for bravery in returning the base to working condition after a mortar attack. Other military awards include the National Defense Medal with battle stars; Air Force Longevity award with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Meritorious Service medal, all with oak leaf clusters. Fred earned his Masters degree from the University of Southern California branch in Ramstein Germany. After retiring from the Air Force in 1972 with a rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, Fred went to work for the San Antonio School system as a Biology teacher at Dillard McCollum High School. In 1978 both he and his wife, Janet, moved to Del Rio, Texas where he was the principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School for 8 years. Fred was the son of Fred W. and Florence Edna Cockman formerly from Poland, Ohio. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Edna, his brother-in-law, Jack Klinke and his niece, Peggy Klinke. He is survived by his wife, Janet Cockman, his children, Nan Frechette, Rick Cockman his wife Dorina, Cindi Anderson her husband Buddy, and his grandchildren, Kimberly Billings her fiancé Brent Budde, Travis Cockman, Elias Vogt, Laura Vogt, and Becky Roosa, and her husband Chase. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Hospitality Apartments, PO Box 25213, Houston, Texas 77265-5213. The funeral service will be held at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
From the San Antonio Express-News