Mark Andrew Cocker, 1953-2006: A Memorial
Mark Andrew Cocker unexpectedly passed away on April 19, 2006 in Kingwood, Texas. Mark was a gifted geologist, a good businessman, a loving husband, father, brother and son, and a good friend to all who knew and worked with him. He was born October 4, 1953 to Betty and Geoffrey Cocker in Yorkshire, England, and is survived by his wife of over 22 years, Jill (Foster) Cocker and their children, Sarah, Thomas, and Allison Cocker, all of Kingwood, TX; his mother, Betty Oakley of France; and his sisters, Sally Tyson and Gillian Worrall. Mark was Chief Operating Officer and Partner of The Scotia Group, Inc., an independent consulting services company to the oil and gas industry with offices in Dallas and Houston, Texas, and Reynosa, Tamaulipas. He was an avid outdoorsman, musician, marathon runner, sailing enthusiast, rock climber, skeet shooter, and a great admirer and lover of nature. Mark was a dedicated member and supporter of the Houston Geological Society and served as Public Relations Committee Chair for many years. He belonged to the Dallas Geological Society and served on the DGS Public Information and Government Affairs Committee. He was a Texas Certified Petroleum Geologist and Certified AAPG Geologist and served as AAPG delegate. In addition to HGS, DGS and AAPG, Mark was a member of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts and the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He was author of 5 recent papers on petroleum geology of the Burgos Basin and a frequent speaker at meetings of the many professional societies to which he belonged. Before joining The Scotia Group in 1992, Mark worked for Core Laboratories, Inc. and Improved Petroleum Recovery, Inc. He spent many of the past 10 years working on reservoir projects with Pemex in Reynosa, Poza Rica, Tampico and Veracruz, Mexico. During his career of 29 years, he worked on projects in the U. S. Onshore and Gulf of Mexico, the Middle East, Asia, the South Pacific, Africa and Europe. Mark had great focus in both his work and relationships and was often at his best when things got difficult. He knew how to look beyond obstacles, maintain perspective on objectives, and provide solid leadership and direction to his team in both work and play. He was capable of inspiring others through his steadfast resolve and quiet confidence in outcomes. Mark could be both incisively direct as well as a patient and compassionate listener. He pursued everything he did with great commitment, high standards, and impeccable personal integrity. Mark Cocker passed away in the prime of both life and profession. He will be missed by all who knew him. Arthur E. Berman, one of Mark’s many friends and colleagues.