David Brian Cockrell

David Brian Cockrell

10/07/1944 - 04/03/2022

Born, October 7, 1944 to Edith Mae Frost and J. W.  Cockrell in Alhambra, Ca.

Departed, 04/03/2022 at Enloe Hospital, Chico, California

Graduated from Chico Senior High School in ­­1963.

Married Dianna Jean Norton on September 4, 1971

Together, Dave and Dianna raised their daughter, Amber along with their sons Jason and Joshua Cockrell in Durham, California for 40+ years where they bought an old farmhouse on 2 acres that they remodeled and where many memories were made with family gatherings, then moved to Chico in 2009.

In Dave’s twenties, he enjoyed racing motorcycles and often raced at Cycleland Speedway, just outside of Chico.

In 1974, Dave began his long career as a flooring installer turned flooring contractor with Towne Carpet. As his family likes to say, he was the OG of installers! In 1997, his son Jason began working with Dave to then carry on in his legacy as his own flooring contractor.

In 1992 Dave’s sons, Jason and Joshua, both graduated from The United States Marine Corp where he and Dianna were able to attend their graduation in San Diego. The graduation was one of the highlights of Dave’s life. He was very proud of his sons.

Later in Dave’s life, he found wood crafting to be one of his favorite hobbies that he shared with both his wife and daughter, Amber. His hobby proved to be more than just a hobby as he often sold many of his creations at Chico’s very own, Made in Chico shop that features local artisans. To this day, Made in Chico uses one of Dave’s creations as a display. He and Dianna, and sometimes Amber, would spend their weekends attending craft shows.

As time passed, Dave found a new hobby. Poker! He diligently studied the game and became a very skilled player. In 2017, Dave played his way to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Dave could oftentimes be found playing at the Casino 99 in Chico, California.

Dave liked to stay active and he and his wife often spent their anniversary at Patrick’s Point where he enjoyed collecting agates which became a competition with his daughter!

His strength, wisdom and positive presence lit up any room he walked into. Despite his hearing issues, he always did his best to listen and be part of any conversation. He was strong and resilient, stoic yet sensitive, with a gentle heart. He was a loyal son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. If you were lucky enough to know Dave, you knew his kindness.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Jay & Edith Cockrell, his oldest grandson, Zachary MacDonald, and his sister-in-law, Juanita Rushton.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Dianna Cockrell of Chico

Children: Jason and Stephanie Cockrell of Chico, Joshua Cockrell of Magalia, and Amber and Michael Catren of Oroville

Grandchildren: Kylee and James Turner of Chico, Cami Carpenter of Chico, Bailey Early of Gridley, John Lake, Jr. of Oroville, and Jimmy Johnson of Magalia, Tristan and Amber Stevens

Great Grandchildren; Camden, Ava & Urijah, Aubrey and Wyatt

Brothers and Sister-in-law: Larry Cockrell of Reno, Alan and Deb Cockrell of Chico

Nieces & Nephews: Ronnie and Heather Cockrell of Chico, Emily Cockrell of Chico, Laura Cockrell of Butte City, and Nathan and Arianna Rushton of McKinleyville, CA and Janelle Fort of Tracy, CA.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Chico Mobile Country Club Recreation Center, 1901 Dayton Road, Chico, CA 95928 from 11 AM until 2 PM . A social time will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers or to make a donation to the GoFund me, please visit   https://www.gofundme.com/f/4de8ju?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 .

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Brian Cockrell, please visit our floral store.