I was sorry to hear of the passing of John Cockram. He, Doug Hiatt, Jeff McMillan, and I spent a lot of high school time together, especially in our junior and senior years. Besides playing tennis, going to the lake, and hanging out together, we formed the “Chessman Four” and sang folk music whenever and wherever we could. Obviously, we didn’t become famous, but we sure had fun wherever we went.
Following high school, our paths separated and our careers took us all around the world. “Johnny” became a Lutheran minister and, with his beautiful wife, Tonya, gave a lifetime of service to God. His work reminds me of this quotation, “If we make ourselves available, God will move us from place to place across the chessboard of our lives.” John and Tonya eagerly made themselves available and God moved them to where they were most needed. His passing did not mark the end of his service. John just advanced to a higher-level chessboard and is still being moved by the greatest “Chess Master” of all. Like all others who have known John, I look forward to seeing him again someday and reminiscing about old times.
Stephen Nebeker (1963)
I was sorry to hear of the passing of John Cockram. He, Doug Hiatt, Jeff McMillan, and I spent a lot of high school time together, especially in our junior and senior years. Besides playing tennis, going to the lake, and hanging out together, we formed the “Chessman Four” and sang folk music whenever and wherever we could. Obviously, we didn’t become famous, but we sure had fun wherever we went.
Following high school, our paths separated and our careers took us all around the world. “Johnny” became a Lutheran minister and, with his beautiful wife, Tonya, gave a lifetime of service to God. His work reminds me of this quotation, “If we make ourselves available, God will move us from place to place across the chessboard of our lives.” John and Tonya eagerly made themselves available and God moved them to where they were most needed. His passing did not mark the end of his service. John just advanced to a higher-level chessboard and is still being moved by the greatest “Chess Master” of all. Like all others who have known John, I look forward to seeing him again someday and reminiscing about old times.