Darwin Cockroft

Darwin Cockroft, age 54, the first of 4 children born to Daryl Cockroft and Jamie (Lamb) Cockroft, was born April 10, 1965 in Hebron, Nebraska.  He came into the world as a 4-pound premature baby.  He died on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Alma Manor Nursing Center in Alma, Kansas.  Darwin moved with his parents to Ionia, Kansas in 1976 where they began farming.  He attended grade school in Hebron, Nebraska and then in Randall, Kansas.  He graduated from Jewell High School in 1983.

Darwin was preceded in death by his sister Cindy, who passed away at the age of 1 day.  He is survived by his father Daryl Cockroft and his wife Becky of Jewell, Kansas and by his Mother Jamie Lamb and husband Roger Rooker of Beloit.  He is also survived by brothers Brian (Debbie) Cockroft of Esbon and Brad (Karen) Cockroft and their children, Elaine, Haylee, William and Jacob of Esbon, step-sister Jessie (Jason) Eilert and their children Jensen and Jada of Jewell, step-brother Bret (Jessica) Simmelink of Jewell and step-brother Eric (Elaine) Rooker of Topeka.  In addition, Darwin is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

As a little boy in Hebron he enjoyed playing with his little dog Deno.  Everyone ended up out hunting for Darwin one day because he and Deno had decided to go down and play by the river.  Darwin also loved his tricycle and spent many happy hours riding it.  Darwin got into artwork early in grade school and one of his works won an excellent at the State Fair.  He really enjoyed swimming and spent many afternoons at the pool.  Darwin really enjoyed time spent with his brothers both while growing up and then as an adult.  One highlight was the trip he took to the Caribbean with Brian.

While in high school Darwin began to experience mental health illness.  Even so, he enjoyed drama class and was the lead role in a play that received a number one in the state drama competition.  Darwin's health issues escalated after high school to the point that it left him disabled.  Over the years Darwin lived in Newton, Wichita, Beloit and then in Alma.  The years he spent at Alma were some of the better years because the nursing center was able to administer his medication as prescribed.

Visitation will be from 2-7 PM Thursday, April 2 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home, followed by cremation. Due to current mass gathering restrictions, we will require that no more than 10 people gather at any time. Graveside memorial services will take place at 9 AM Wednesday, July 8  in the Ionia Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alma Manor Activity Fund, and can be mailed to the funeral home.