Charles Lee Cockerell

   Charlie passed quietly from this life after a brief illness at the age of 87.  He was born in Springer, NM.  His youth was spent moving with his parents and grandparents from cow range to cow range in New Mexico and Colorado.  At the very heart of Charlie beats a Cowboy.  He loved his Herefords and quarter horses, and he had an eye for both.

     Right out of Santa Fe High, Charlie joined the New Mexico Game & Fish Dept.  His second love, wildlife and everything that went with them.  After 30 years moving around the state with the Game Dept, Charlie retired to a small place in Abiquiu where he could have a handful of horses.   But you couldn’t keep him away from the wildlife.  He started Turkey Tracks Outfitters.  Turkey hunting in Florida, Mule deer in Utah, Whitetails in Texas, Elk in Colorado.  Charlie also had the opportunely to hunt deer in Mexico and Dall sheep in Alaska.  He was still guiding hunters up into his late 70’s.

     Sports were a big deal to Charlie.  He loved watching them on TV, but he really loved going to games of any kind.  He coached baseball for Clay and his grandsons, Kyle and Karl.  After moving to Aztec to be closer to both Clay and Darci, he went to every game he could for all of the grandkids.  He was a big supporter of Aztec High School Sports, going to State Tournaments to cheer on the teams.

     Charlie also coached the 4-H Shooting Sports.  Starting with Chad at age 9 in Air Rifle and becoming an instructor for 22-Rifle for Shanna.  He never missed a competition, even traveling to Nebraska for 4-H Nationals for Shotgun with Chad and Brett.

     Charlie was married to the love of his life for 63 years.  He met little blond tomboy, Ireta Williams at the age of 10 in Nucla, Colorado.  They were married in Durango, August 29, 1959.

     Charlie was proceeded in death by his parents, O.B. Cockerell and Lucille (McNeil), son Monty Alan and grandson Karl Emerson.  He is survived by his loving wife Ireta (Williams), son Jimmy “Clay”, daughter Darci Moss (Bill) and sister Cindy (Jimmy) Jones.  Grandchildren: Kyle (Jennifer) Cockerell, Aleah Cockerell, Chad (Kristian) Moss, Brett (Kaitlyn) Moss, Shanna (Jason) Moss. Great granddaughter Zella Rose Moss. Baby Moss due in October.

     A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.  His ashes will be scattered in the High Country that he loved.