Tommy Cockrum

Cockrum, Tommy, March 20, 2025 age 87 of Westland. Beloved husband of Barbara. Loving father of John M. (Jen) Cockrum, Richard Joseph Cockrum, Ann Margaret (Elias-Robert) Dragon and Bill (Sherry) Cockrum. Proud grandfather of Elias Thomas (Rita) Dragon, David J. (Iva) Cockrum, Jessica M. (Mark) Krehel, Chelsea M. (Rony) Haddad, Kayla R. (Mitchell) Mullen, Jennifer A. Dragon, Audrey A. Cockrum and Joshua W. (Christina) Cockrum. Great Grandfather of Elizabeth A. Dragon, Evelyn G. Dragon, Sophia- Isabella Cockrum, Sienna-Arabella Cockrum, David-Joseph Cockrum, Gabriel Krehel, Madeleine Krehel, Samuel Krehel, Alessia M. Haddad, Eliana K. Haddad, Mila Kay Mullen and Mae Claire Mullen. Beloved son of the late Dorsey Richmond and the late Margaret Augusta (nee Papke) Cockrum. Dear brother of Robert (Elaine) Cockrum, Harold (Carol) Cockrum, the late Charles Swank, the late Raymond (Ruby) Cockrum, the late Doris (Dick) Shuman, the late Evelyn (Ed) Francis, the late Aletha (Tom) Barker and the late Ethal Doran. Tommy married Barbara at St. Mary Catholic Church of Wayne on November 21, 1959. He was 22 years old and had already served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He became a Westland firefighter in 1963 and retired as a Captain in 1986. Tommy worked part time jobs as a carpenter, meat cutter, iron worker, helped build Metro Airport and helped many people build garages and homes. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, tobogganing, sailing, tennis and running on the John Glenn track after dinner on his days off. He was very good with his hands and loved making things. He built his own sailboat and a dune buggy from the chassis of a Karmann Ghia sports car. Tommy made doll cribs and cradles for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always wanted to build a home of his own but ran out of time. Tommy built a garage then a family room on his house where the family has lived for 60 years. The brick layer didn’t show up; so, he bricked the whole addition after he built it. He also built, took down and re-bricked the fireplace. He built the mantel, laid it and finished the basement by himself. He did the electrical work with the help of the Callahan family and Sam Hix. Tommy was super proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved talking to everyone and anyone. We surely do miss him. Memorial gathering on Saturday, April 12th from 9:30 AM until the 10 AM Memorial Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 31530 Beechwood in Garden City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayne-Westland Salvation Army, 2300 S. Venoy Road, Westland, MI 48186, Michigan Medicine Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 or St. Thomas the Apostle Food Pantry, Checks payable to the church, on memo line please specify SVDP Food Pantry. Arrangements entrusted with Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, Westland. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this web page.

Tommy Cockrum

April 13, 1937 - March 20, 2025