Earl Dean Cockerham

Earl “Dean” Cockerham, 89, of Mims, Florida, passed away due to complications from congestive heart failure, Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.  

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, May 26 at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 3380 Dairy Road, Titusville, Florida, 32796. Burial will follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. 1, Mims, FL 32754. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of St. Francis 1250 B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780.  

Dean was born on July 29, 1927 in Tampa City, Florida to Walter and Ethel Cockerham. He grew up on a farm in Peterstown, West Virginia along with his older sister, Mary, his older brother James and his younger brother, Paul, who resides in Florida City, FL. He served in the Navy as a barber from 1945 to 1947 and again from 1951 to 1952. He married Janice Frazier of Narrows, Virginia on September 8, 1948. He owned a barbershop for about a decade in Rich Creek, Virginia and worked as a barber in Norfolk, Virginia before moving his family to Mims, Florida in the summer of 1958. Dean was employed as a photography coordinator for NASA during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. He was one of the first board members of Mims Little League and a Boy Scout leader for Troop #360 for many years as well. He enjoyed many hobbies: gardening, fishing, photography, woodworking, painting, attending church and reading. He loved music but bluegrass was his favorite. He never shied away from learning new things, even 21st century technology. He enjoyed spending time with family and was always available to them at a moments notice, day or night.

Dean is survived by his beautiful bride, Janice, of 68 years. His four children, Teresa Fiorillo, Earl Cockerham (Irene), Debra Razzano (Carl), and Scott Cockerham. He had 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was a good man. He was a family man.    

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