William Cocke Iv

William Ronald (Ron) Cocke IV joined the Old Guard to be with the Lord on November 11, 2017.  Ron was born in Charlottesville, VA  to William Ronald III and Grace Cocke. He was 91.

Upon graduating high school in 1945, Ron volunteered and served in the US Army Air Corps as a trained aerial reconnaissance photographer and later served as company clerk for the 41^st Fighter Squadron, 35^th Fighter Group under the Pacific Air Command, USA.  While his training in aerial reconnaissance was no longer needed at the end of WW II, it introduced him to a lifelong love and hobby of photography, in which he became quite accomplished. 

Upon separation from military service in 1946, Ron attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Tech) and graduated with honors in business administration in 1951.  He was a member of the honors fraternities Alpha Kappa Psi and Phi Kappa Phi.  After graduation, he joined General Electric, working at several locations before settling in Erie.  It was here he met his wife, Nancy, and they married in 1959 celebrating 58 happy years together.

Ron was a member of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Y Men’s Club, GE Quarter Century Club, GE Gear Group, the Erie Club, and the Jefferson Society.  He was also a member of the Sons of the Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution as well as a founding member of the Erie GE History Museum.  He has served on several boards and committees throughout his life and career including advisory boards of the United Way, Erie School District, Salvation Army, Episcopal Community Services and the Personnel Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania.  He has also had his photographs on exhibit at times, winning some local awards and having some local showings, with his black and white photography work being the most popular.

In addition to his wife Nancy, Ron is survived by his son, Stephen and his wife Adriana Cocke, his grandchildren, Allison Cocke and John Joseph (JJ) Cocke.  Preceding him in passing were his parents, his sister, Grace Cocke, and children William Ronald Cocke V and Cary Cannon Cocke.

Friends may call on the family at Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26^th St. (at Powell Ave.), on Thursday, November 16  from 3:00-6:00PM.  A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7^th St.,  on Friday, November 17^th at 11:30AM with inurnment immediately following the service.

The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ron’s name to the Salvation Army, 1022 Liberty St. Erie, PA  16502, The Achievement Center of Erie, 4950 West 23^rd, Erie, PA 16506 or the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7^th St., Erie, PA  16501.