Lester Thorton Cockram, Jr.
August 3, 2019
Lester Thornton Cockram, Jr. DOB March 27, 1950, born in Bassett, VA, died at the age of 69 on August 3, 2019 from a work related accident. He lived at Area 314, Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs, FL with his significant other of 13 years, Theresa Floyd.
He is also survived by his daughter, Tara Justice and her husband, Tony of Tallahassee, FL; his brother, Doyle Cockram and his wife, Lysa of Alexandria, VA; and his Sister, Wanda McMillian and her husband, Mark, of Kure Beach, NC.
Predeceased by father, Lester Thornton Cockram, Sr.; and mother, Edith Gracie Cockram.
Lester worked 45+ years in the field of Gas Transmission at ITT, ENRON and Florida Gas. He specialized in pipeline telemetry, electrical wiring and circuits, and lightning protection.
Lester was an Eagle Scout, loved adventure and nature. He also was an avid thrill seeker, risk taker, loved the adrenaline and challenge as a Marathoner, Certified Deep Sea Diver, Hiker, Rock Climber, Summit Seeker / Ice Climbing. He climbed the highest peaks in all 50 states and five of the seven highest mountains in the world. His proudest moment was when he achieved the summit of the Matterhorn at the age of 67.
In his spare time, Lester was a ham radio operator (his call sign was KU4F) and an amateur radio astronomer. As a ham radio operator, he talked to other hams around the world by bouncing signals off the moon. In the North Florida ham radio community, Lester was known for his generosity and willingness to help other ham radio operators. As a radio astronomer, he was a member of the Society of the Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) and was one of only 20 amateurs in the world (he was the 2nd in North America) to detect a pulsar. Only two years ago this was thought to be impossible for an amateur to do. Because of this work with large dish antennas, Lester was well known by the scientists at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV and was called 'friend' by many brilliant minds.
To leave condolences please go to Crevasse's Simple Cremation Inc at www.crevassesimplecremation.com. Memorial donations can be made to SARA / Central Florida Astronomical Society, Inc. PO Box 620907 Oviedo, FL 32762-0907 or to the Loften High School of Amateur Radio Club, 3000 East University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641. Lester was dedicated in helping / member of both of these organizations.
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My family’s condolences go out to all who know and obviously love Les. I am blessed to have crossed paths with him through our running group. Many early morning training days allowed for political conversations, jokes, and thoughts on scientific theories. Throughout our runs I cannot recall an instance where I heard Les strike a complaint. This is because he was a tough and true American as well as a class-act and gentleman. I’m a better person for having known him. We are so grateful for you, Les! You are already so missed. Eternal rest grant unto Les, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
I’m so thankful to have known Lester. He was such a wonderful, brilliant and amazing person. I’m also so grateful he was such a special part of my sister’s life for the past 13 years. They went on so many adventures together and just enjoyed being together. She adored him, as he did her. They were perfect for each other. I’m so sad for her loss. He will forever be missed. ❤️
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Les was the greatest. He will be missed greatly.
My condolences to the friends and family.
I’m so thankful to have known Lester. He was a wonderful, smart and caring person. And I’m so grateful he was such a special part of my sister’s life. They went on so many adventures together and just enjoyed being together. She adored him, as he did her. He will forever be missed. ❤️
Our prayers with your family
Les will be greatly missed. Les was one the greatest Men I ever knew.
Les was an amazing man and greatly affected many people's lives in such an amazing man. He was the smartest man I knew. He loved my mom as she did him in return. He will be missed by many and never forgotten. We love you Les aka Big Henry.
Les, Lester T, Thornton, LTC, Fine Sir, Spelunkers, Alpha Dog, The Professor and my favorite “The Man”…all names one of the absolute finest men I will ever know answered to. It’s impossible to quantify the impact he has had on all of us. He loved sharing all that knowledge he continually collected over the years. I have always teased him saying I’d be happy just knowing what he’d forgot. Les will carry on in all of us in many ways….that runner that remembers his coaching and encouragement…..that mountain climber remembering that tip Lester gave….. that fella on the other end of a satellite or tower that he’s shared some fascinating data with…..all the countless technicians that he’s taught over the years when they are having an issue with a turbine or a recip and they remember his training….. I’m sure this list could go on and on.
Thank you Les for always believing in and supporting me from the first day we met.
My life was made better knowing you. You’ll always be loved and dearly missed….
Theresa, sending you and Lester's family healing thoughts and prayers there are no words to ease your pain at this time. My deepest condolences to all of you.
Les always loved to send the kids up in his bucket truck, this is a video of my son, Theresa’s nephew. We will cherish all our memories spending time with him at Area 314. ❤️❤️
My sincerest condolences go to his family. He was an intellectually stimulating, fellow adventurer, and I will miss him. RIP
He had many roles and many different nicknames, but the best one was simply… Dad. Love you so much. 💖
Thinking of you Theresa and his family at this time. My heart is with you.
I Have Known Les For About 25 years, I Am A Amateur Radio Fan And That`s Originally What Started Our Meeting Conversation. I Work For FedEx And Met Lester At His Job. Over The Years We Have Become Real good Friends And Conversed On Quite A Few Topics. I Will Miss Him Very Much As We Were Very Similar In Our Thinking's. If There Is A Better Place And A Heaven Of Sorts I Am Positive Lester Has Already Passed Thru the Gate!
My deepest condolences to both families on your unexpected loss. My heart hurts for you, Theresa.
Always enjoyed our sometimes wide ranging conversations Les – an honor to have known you while you were here. Rest in peace Brother!
He was a close friend. Les was a man to be admired greatly. He was the smartest man I’ve ever known and a gentleman who loved helping others around him. I’m a better man for having known him. RIP Professor.
My Thoughts and Prayers are with My Daughter ,Theresa, and Lester's Family….Lester was a good man , and I know he is going to be missed. R.I.P.
Condolences from the Martin family of Bassett Va. A great friend, classmate and football brother of BHS. Love, Jerry Martin
I have called him the client, coworker, mountain climber, world traveler but most of all I called him a friend. One of my greatest memories with Lester T was Christmas dinner on Easter Island Chile. He was a man who thought everything was possible if you just tried. He will be missed.
Les, you left us far too soon and will be missed by so many whose lives you touched. It is difficult to awaken each morning and realize you are no longer with us. The void is palpable. You brought so much joy, light and life to the world. “Your candle burned out long before your legend ever will……”
Theresa, I am so sorry…….words fail. Take care of yourself.
Lester,
I'm so sad that you have left us. You were supposed to meet up at CS 17 this past week to catch up on and share our latest travel adventures and plans.
I remember the first time I met you at CS 17, I came into the meeting area and you gave me this tremendous smile and proclaimed that the Environmental Lady was here! I will fondly remember our discussions on travel adventures, space and solving the world problems. You were always inquisitive, knowledgeable of just about everything and respectful of others thoughts and opinions.
My heartfelt condolences to your family. You will be missed. The Environmental Lady
One of the greatest guys I’ve known! Everybody loved him. Fly high!
We were next door neighbors to the Cockram family in Bassett. Mrs. Edith was my sitter growing up an Thornton was thirteen years my senior and let me tell you he was larger than life. He never dismissed the worrisome neighbor kid, always willing to play ball and offer advice on life in general. He even took me for a ride in his Corvette. We will all miss him. He was an exceptional human being.
We lived beside Thornton in Bassett Va when he was a young man growing up. Everyone in the neighborhood new he was an exceptional human being. He will be missed.
To Doyle and Wanda
I remember us as kids when life was simple
Sorry for your loss of a good brother
I was fortune to spend time with Les at our High School Class Reunion in December. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Less is his smile and laugh. He was a good listener and story teller, an intelligent and great teacher, gentle and compassionate, and best of all, always willing to stay back with the slowest runner. He will be missed by everyone that was privileged enough to know him.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Less is his smile and laugh. He was a good listener and story teller, an intelligent and great teacher, gentle and compassionate, and best of all, always willing to stay back with the slowest runner. He will be missed by everyone that was privileged enough to know him.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Less is his smile and laugh. He was a good listener and story teller, an intelligent and great teacher, gentle and compassionate, and best of all, always willing to stay back with the slowest runner. He will be missed by everyone that was privileged enough to know him.
I am still trying to wrap my head around this. I will miss discussing and sharing books with Les. Big hugs, Theresa. 🙁
Thornton is one of the most interesting people to ever come out of Bassett.
I just found out about Lester's passing, and still can't believe it. I know Lester from caving and have always been amazed of Lester's incredible energy, stamina, and drive. He was involved in so many activities and was a master of all of them. Less will be greatly missed.
Henry and I were friends for over 45 years. We became friends from the very first day we met at Florida Gas Transmission. He was the kind of man you don't meet every day. We knew we could always depend on each other; he had my back and I had his, and were never further than a phone call away, except when he was climbing mountains. We've called each other Henry since our days of weightlifting. Henry told me the meaning of Henry was weak, and because we were weightlifting he referred to me as weak Henry. I returned the insult and as our training/competition continued so did our friendship. A friendship so strong that Henry will never be forgotten and I will always miss him.
A person’s tragedy does not make up their entire life. Their story carves deep grooves into our brains each time we tell it. But we aren't one story, in fact we can write our own. There is none like Les's story and he told it well. A man of few words at time, but heard with great sound, passion and wisdom. You have happily impacted so many lives, brought many good memories and embraced us with great knowledge. I am grateful for our time we had together, the stories we shared and the memories we made. Your time came too soon, but you remain in our story books forever.
With Love,
Lauren Wagner