Brigadier General Robert Andrew Cocroft

Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert Andrew Cocroft, US. Army, was born to Willie Tilmon Cocroft and Louise Cocroft (Gee) on November 16, 1946, in Conway, Mississippi. He entered into eternal life on Wednesday, September 12,2018. At an early age, Robert professed his belief in Christ and was baptized at Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Conway, MS. In 1947, during the Northern migration of African-Americans in search of opportunities, his family settled in Milwaukee, WI. Robert joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. E. M. Kelly. The Cocroft family became a driving force in the formative years of the church where several family members remain today. Robert received his formal education in the Milwaukee Public Schools and graduated from North Division High School in 1965. In 1966, while attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on a football scholarship, he was drafted into the US. Army. Upon completion of US. Army Infantry School (OCS) and while training at Fort Ord, California he met his wife. On May 3, 1969 he married Jacqueline Hunter and to this union two children were born, Dianna Killins (Cocroft) and Robert H. Cocroft. He was a Vietnam-era veteran who served overseas duty in the Republic of Korea. He returned to Wisconsin and joined the 84th Division of the Army Reserve while working and going to school full-time. He continued with his military education, including graduating from the US. Army War College and climbing the chain of command to Brigadier General. At the conclusion of his military career, Robert was the Assistant Division Commander of Operations for the 98th Division. Throughout his entire career he commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels. Robert had 40 years of active and reserve military service and officially retired in 2006. Robert served as Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs from 1994 to 2002. He had the overall responsibility for the Department's day-to-day operations, which included administration and management of900 full-time employees, five loan programs, eight grant programs, a 7S0-bed skilled nursing care facility, and departmental administrative services. As a member of the senior management team within the Department he coordinated and directed strategic planning and program development. Through the combined efforts of Robert Cocroft, Willie Sims, and Thomas Wynn (deceased) the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) was established in 1973, and currently has chapters in 80 cities throughout the United States. He was the previous National Commander. NABVETS continues its advocacy on behalf of its membership with Congress, the federal administration, state, county, and city legislators, and is certified by the US. Department of Veterans Affairs as a claims representative for veterans. As demonstrated by his extensive commitment to veteran affairs as well as numerous community-based organizations, Robert was a genuine servant leader. During the time of his transition, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd. (CVI). In addition to advocating for the needs of veterans, CVI services include housing for low-income, homeless, minority and women veterans including their families. CVI is distinguished as the largest private provider of transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for veterans in Wisconsin. Educational achievements include: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management, Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; US. Army Infantry School (OCS), US. Army Paratrooper Airborne School, and the US. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. Throughout his career he also served on numerous boards and committees both locally and nationally. He was preceded in death by his parents Willie Tilmon and Louise Cocroft; brother, Mark A. Cocroft; father-in-law, Command Sergeant Major Grover D. Hunter, Sr., USA, Retired; brother-in-law, Grover D. Hunter,Jr.; niece, Natasha S. Hampton; and great-niece, Ana Moffett. Left to forever cherish his precious memory: his beloved wife, Jacqueline D. Cocroft. Children - Dianna R. (Willie) Killins, Robert H. (Teresita) Cocroft, and his adopted daughter Annette (Michael) Miller. Grandsons - Devin Tyree Cocroft, Isiah H. Cocroft, Robert T. Cocroft, Jonavan M. Cocroft, Michael A. Killins, Malik A. Killins, Mekhi A. Killins. Granddaughters - Arianna 1. Cocroft, First Lieutenant Michelle A. Killins, USAR. Great-grandchildren - McKayla A. Killins and Morgan A. Killins. Siblings - Phyllis T. (Woodrow) Coleman, Wanda D. Cocroft, Judy L. Cocroft, and Timothy D. Cocroft. Mother-in-law, Osie M. Hunter, San Jose, CA. Sisters-in-law - Marlene Butler, Cathedral City, CA, and Demetria Brown, San Jose, CA. Aunts- Lorene Cocroft, Dorcas D. Denton, Helen F. LeFlore, Lorraine Gee, and Callie Gee. Uncle - Alton Campbell. And many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love if God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8: 38-39 In lieu of flowers please send all donation to the Center for Veterans Issues 315 W. Court St., Milwaukee, WI 53212.

Brigadier General Robert Andrew Cocroft

November 16, 1946 - September 12, 2018