Captain Paul Cockrell began fighting fire as an air tanker pilot in 1996. Having had his pilot's license since age sixteen, Paul loved flying. He continued his desire to become and aerial firefighter even though his brother Gary Cockrell, also an air tanker captain for USFS died in 1995 while on duty. Brother Cockrell lived life to its fullest in everything he did, from firefighting to being a loving husband, father and grandfather. Captain Cockrell is survived by his wife Marilyn and children, Doug and Jennifer