Gary Allen Cockrell

Gary Allen Cockrell, 85, of Davenport, FL, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 4, 1932 in St. James, Missouri to Harry and Mary (Coleman) Cockrell. Gary was a gymnast and athlete at school, who developed his interest in dance as a teenager after seeing the film 'The Red Shoes'. Moving to New York to learn dance, he was in the stage production of Damn Yankees and the 1957 Broadway production of 'West Side Story', coming to Britain with the show the following year. He left 'West Side Story' for a straight acting role in 'Orpheus Descending'. Gary acted in many feature films and television productions including The Saint, The Persuaders, Tarzan the Magnificent, Lolita - he played the role of her husband, The Rebel, Cross Trap, The War Lover with Steve McQueen and Robert Wagner, Man in The Middle, The Americanization of Emily, The Bedford Incident and many others. In 1964 he opened a dance studio called The Dance Centre in Covent Garden, London, followed by a Dance Center clothing line and had many retail shops around the world. Gary later expanded the business which ran for thirteen years until 1977 when he opened a ladies only health spa named The Sanctuary. Gary retired from acting and choreography around this time. After many year of running the business he retired and moved to Palm Springs, California and later moved to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia to be the Artistic Director at The Body Holiday, Le Sport Resort. After his marriage to Marie in 1989, they moved to Missouri USA where he lived a quiet family life for 13 years. In 2003, they returned to St Lucia. Gary had a great love for gardening and local wine making, though he might be most remembered for his Sunday morning pancake breakfasts which often included his next door neighbor, Derek Walcott and wife Sigrid. As he would say "another day in Paradise". May his soul rest in peace. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul McGinnes. He left behind his St. Lucian born wife of 29 years, Marie Thecla Cockrell presently residing in Florida, his children: Brett Cockrell and wife Carina residing in the UK; Jake Cockrell a former student of St. Mary's College in St. Lucia, presently residing in Orlando Florida; Joey Cockrell and Jade Cockrell former students of Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School in St. Lucia, also residing in Orlando, Florida. Grandchildren, Claudia Arabella Cockrell and Nonna Cockrell residing in the UK. Great grandchildren Rachel Carina Brindley and Jamie Ralph Brindley also residing in the UK. His dearest friend Gina Allen, who helped care for him during his illness and many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention. He will be missed by all who knew him. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m., all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City with Pastor Charles Harkala, officiating.