of Little Rock, AR
March 24, 1958 - February 5, 2025
Eric Charles Kocke was born March 24th, 1958 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and entered peacefully into eternal rest on February 5th, 2025 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Eric spent 22 years serving in the United States Air Force retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1998. He eventually went back to school graduating from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelors in Education in 2007. He then spent the remainder of his career as an JROTC instructor serving students in Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. After retirement he moved closer to his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Arkansas. In his free time he enjoyed fishing, hiking, canoeing, watching the LSU Tigers, volunteering with the American Legion and spending time with his grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents Edward Kocke, Jr and Marie Troxclair Kocke, sister Katherine Kocke Olivier, and brother-in-law Thomas Hebert. He is survived by his children Petty Officer 2nd Class U.S. Navy Samuel Kocke (Candace), Micale Goodhart (Jeff), three grandchildren: Natalija Kocke, Marin Goodhart, and Jonah Goodhart and by his siblings Louise Kocke Rich (Skip), John Kocke (Anita), Paul Kocke (Jackie), Jane Kocke Howson (David), Fay Kocke DePaula, June Kocke Hebert, Edward Kocke, III (Tina), 15 nieces and nephews and family friend Joe Wray.
Visitation services will be at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine, Louisiana on Saturday March 8th, 2025 at 11:30 in the morning. Following the service, Eric will be interred with his parents at Grace Memorial Cemetery in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
Our family is grateful for the kindness he received while living in memory care and for the compassionate and loving care provided by Arkansas Hospice during his final days.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the JROTC program at Lexington High School. Checks can made out to LHS JROTC for Eric Kocke Memorial Fund and sent to:
Lexington High School
Attn: JROTC
284 White Street
Lexington, TN 38351
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15 Condolence(s)
Venita Minikwu
Monday, February 10, 2025
With a lost so great, there are simply no words to ease the pain. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Marley Hughes
Sunday, February 9, 2025
My thoughts go to the family of this great man. I was in TN-20024 in the last four years he was an instructor, and was a very professional and smart guy.
Camryn Hughes
Sunday, February 9, 2025
We spend the vast majority of the first two decades of our lives in school. MSGT Kocke was one of my favorite teachers for 4 straight years. He knew most if not all of his former students on sight and took and active role in the ones he was actively teaching. He really cared and always gave 100% and taught dozens if not a few hundred to do the same. Although I don't think he ever managed to make any students into die hard LSU fans, he really made a difference.
Arieanna Conway
Saturday, February 8, 2025
MSgt Kocke was the funniest and kindest person I knew. I always had a great day on JROTC when he was there. I loved how he treated all his Cadets with respect and I will miss him so much
Emmalee Elway
Saturday, February 8, 2025
I had the privilege of having MSgt. Kocke as one of my JROTC instructors and in many different examples was one of the most dedicated that someone could've been to the program. I'll always remember him being a die hard fan of LSU and one of the best people to go to for advice. He took an interest in each and every cadet he came across and for that I admire him even more. Rest in peace, Sargent Kocke! I'll never forget all of the fond memories I have and all of the conversations we shared.
Mary Barr
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Sgt. Kocke was such an inspiring ROTC instructor for Lexington High School. He always made sure everyone was okay because he care for his students. He listened to his students if they had issues going on outside of classes. He even came to my mother’s memorial service. Listening to his stories from his service in the United States Air Force was always a highlight to my day in high school. I’m honored to be one of his students.
Sarah-Kate Ross
Saturday, February 8, 2025
I played music with Eric for the past few years. I was always impressed with his encyclopedic knowledge of Beatles songs and American history. This is not to mention his quiet strength and kindness.
I already miss having him in my groups! Sending much love and my sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Cameron lane Faulkner
Friday, February 7, 2025
I’m glad to have known the man that taught me the value of patience and calmness he was a great teacher and roll model and I am honored to have had him as my teacher and roll model I will forever thank him in his role in making me the man I am today
Kashay Rich
Friday, February 7, 2025
Sgt. Kocke was a wonder teacher to me. I couldn’t ask for anything better other than for him and captain to be teaching me about leadership. I’m so glad I got to spend my last year in high school with him in ROTC before he left and he was a great neighbor. He will be truly missed.
Bill Kocke
Friday, February 7, 2025
It was a sad day to hear of Eric's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May your faith bring you peace and comfort.
Ken Sullivan
Friday, February 7, 2025
My deepest condolences to the family of MSgt Kocke. My prayers are with you during this difficult time. I had the honor of working with MSgt Kocke as the new AFJROTC Instrructor at Lexington High School, TN. He was a patient and consumate professional with me and a gave his all to JROTC until he retired from LHS. It was a honor to know him and I will always chesish the memories of him and what he did for our program.
Cheryl Hughes
Friday, February 7, 2025
It was always a pleasure to talk with Sgt. Kocke. He made Lexington High School and Henderson county a better place because of his presence in our lives.
Amber Renee Douglas
Friday, February 7, 2025
Praying for the family of Sgt. Kocke. He was such a nice man. I really enjoyed working with Sgt. Kocke at Lexington High School. He made such an impact on the students here and was very well respected by the faculty, staff and students.
Sherri Parks
Friday, February 7, 2025
He was a wonderful Teacher and Co worker. He was always so sweet to me when he would come in my office. My prayers are with his family.
Terry Clement
Friday, February 7, 2025
Thoughts and prayers to the family. I had the honor of working with Sgt. Kocke at Lexington High School. He was a faithful and dedicated servant to the students and to the ROTC program.