For Release
April 26, 2004

Citadel mourns cadet death

           Funeral services are at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Gilbert, S.C., for Cadet Fourth Class Michael Paul Cockrell.

           The Citadel will hold a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29 in Summerall Chapel.

           Cockrell, a knob from November Company, died April 24
from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born in Richland County, a son of Paul Lamar and Geanie Long Cockrell. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, was awarded the Eagle Scout in 2001 and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a 2003 graduate of Gilbert High School where he was Vice-President of the FFA, president of the Japanese Club, member of the marching band, Junior Achievement and Golf Team, where he had the lowest score.

           A business administration major, Cockrell was a member of the Class of 2007.     

           Burial will follow the funeral service in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be the Citadel cadets Alex McCune, Matt Stauffer, Seth Lown, Chris Hudson, Matt Didelot, George Aubin, Brian Whitmore and Dwayne Steppe. Honorary pallbearers will be friends. Visitation will follow the service in the church social hall.

           Memorials may be made to Camp Barstow, Boy Scouts of America, c/o Indian Waters Council, P.O. Box 144, Columbia, SC 29202, or Gilbert High School Golf Team, Gilbert High School, 840 Main Street, Gilbert, SC 29054, or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 246 St. Paul's Church Road, Gilbert, SC 29054.

           Surviving are his parents, Paul Lamar and Geanie Long Cockrell of Gilbert; a sister, Kristen Cockrell of Gilbert; grandmothers, Ellie Mims Long of Gilbert, Camilla A. Cockrell of Batesburg; aunts and uncles, June and Larry McCartha, Herbert and Nancy Long, Jr., Garvin and Freida Cockrell, Jannette and Tony Mitchell.

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