Jim Cockrell:  

Life Melody and I have been married almost 42 years, and have four kids, and four grandchildren that we adore. We have three girls, ages 33, 37 and 38, and then about 22 years ago, along came a son. We're enjoying a good life together, but life is too short not to spend a little more of it with your friends. Our oldest daughter, Sarah, lives with her husband, Rod, and their 5 year old daughter, Sydney,and 2 year old daughter Savannah, in Grand Prairie. She obtained her journalism degree at University of Texas Arlington, and works in claims for HCA. Molly, our second daughter, went to college on a soccer scholarship, got married, and upon graduation, went into teaching. She is in her 16th year as a middle school math teacher, and she and Sammy live near us, and have a precious 12 year old daughter, Cassidy, and 8 year old son, Colton. Brooke, our youngest daughter, got a Business degee at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, thanks to an athletic scholarship in soccer. She went on to the Baylor School of Law, and is now a partner in a Fort Worth law firm. She and her husband Dustin, live on 30 acres in Covington, and are hoping that God will bless them with children in the near future. Taylor, the 22 year old, was named after the home place of the Cockrells, Taylor County, Texas. My dad predicted, before he died, that I would have a son, and I laughed at him. After all, my youngest daughter was 10 years old at the time, and in my mind, our family was complete. Dad died on June 22, 1991. Taylor was born on June 22, 1992. Coincidence? I don't think so. Taylor played football and soccer in high school, and this graduated this past May from Lubbock Christian University. That same month, he married a beautiful young lady from Pearland, Chelsea Carman, and they live in Abilene, where is a youth minister for a local church. Melody and I both retired in May of 2011 from careers in public education. We've had a fun, and comfortable life. All our kids have been soccer players, and I've coached them all. I never had much time for individual leisure activities, but when I did get a few hours to myself, I got on my motorcycle, and headed for the open spaces. I guess I've never outgrown that "biker trash" streak in me. I have a big cruiser that is designed for passenger comfort on the open road, but Melody is scared of motorcycles, so because she seldom travels with me, I either ride solo, or some...Expand for more