Popular North Dallas Restaurateur Dies Jay Steven "JC" Cockerell Jay Steven Cockerell, age 55, of Plano, Texas, passed away September 10, 2013, in Dallas, Texas. He was born December 27, 1957, in Houston, Texas, to Earl Grafton and Janell (Jefferies) Cockerell. On February 18, 1989, Jay married Sondra Pittman. In September 1999, Jay and Sondra Cockerell founded the first JC's Burgerhouse in Plano, TX. An unknown burger stop on the hidden corner of a struggling strip mall quickly became the burger craze that JC's is known for now. After 3 successful years in Plano, Jay and Sondra opened their second JC's in Allen, TX and it also experienced immediate success. Over the next 8 years, Jay and Sondra licensed the brand and JC's grew to 6 restaurants, all of which continue to be a community staple for burger lovers around North Texas. Good food set JC's apart from it's competitors; but more importantly, Jay and Sondra's unique relationship with their customers made the real difference. Through JC's, Jay served the community for over 14 years. His legacy will live on through the relationships he forged with his loyal customers he considered friends. In addition to his passion for entrepreneurship and his restaurants, he enjoyed entertaining, golf, poker, traveling, and being with his family. Jay loved life and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Sondra Cockerell of Plano, Texas; children, Quintan Cockerell and fiancé Kristin of Dallas, Texas, McKinsey Cockerell Cavuoti and husband Whitney of Abilene, Texas; Caroline Cockerell of Plano, TX; granddaughter, Emma Caroline Cavuoti; mother, Janell Cockerell of Abilene, Texas; and brothers, Dr. Clay Cockerell and wife Brenda of Dallas, Texas, Ray Cockerell of Abilene, Texas, Tray Cockerell and wife Susan of Louisville, Kentucky. Jay is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Earl Grafton Cockerell. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Turrentine-Jackson- Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends during a visitation being held from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday evening at the funeral home.
Published in Dallas Morning News from September 13 to September 20, 2013