Wingville, Oregon
Fred Joseph Cockram, 64, a longtime Wingville dairyman and rancher, died July 27, 2002, at his home, surrounded by many of his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
His graveside funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. Pastor John Cockram of Prince of Peace Lutheran church in Phoenix, Ariz., will officiate. Vault interment will follow the ceremony. Visitations will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Fred was born March 20, 1938, in Baker City to Ernest and Berniece Cockram. He attended schools in Baker and graduated from Baker High School in 1956. After graduating from high school, he attended Oregon State University to study animal husbandry.
On June 29, 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Annette Grabner. They moved back to Baker and began their partnership in family and farming. He worked at Builder’s Supply for five years before he and Annette created Mountain View farms, specializing in dairy, beef and farming. During his years of farming he served on and chaired many boards, commissions, and industry organizations: National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, Northwest Dairymen’s Association, Oregon Dairy Council, Oregon Dairy Products Commission, Oregon Beef Council, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Baker County Chamber of Commerce, Baker Airport Commission, Baker Livestock Association, and Baker County Fair Board.
In 1999, Fred and Annette sold their dairy cows to concentrate on family, retirement, beef cattle, mining, and racing quarter horses. In May of 2001, Fred lost his life partner and best friend, Annette, to cancer.
Fred is survived by four children and their families: Michelle and Collin Kaseberg and their children, Jeff, Danny, Wade, Hannah, Evan and Walker, of Baker City; Cherie and Craig Ward and their children, Morgan, Alyssa and Calli, of Baker City; Daryl and his fiancé, Monette and their children, Joelle, Kenny, Jamie, Matt and Donnie, of Baker City; and Jeanne and Scott Mohr and their children, Kayla and Alexa, of Vernonia; brothers and their wives, Freeman and Shirley of Vancouver, Wash., and John and Tonya of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Janis Shields and her husband, Frank, of Boise; Aunt Bea Jordan of Washington; special friend Carol Kirklin of Portland; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial contribution to the Cockram Memorial Scholarship Fund with the Baker County 4-H Leaders Association, 2610 Grove St., Baker City, OR 97814 or through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 2, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor