David Lee Cocking, affectionately known as “Bubba,” passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on August 1st, 2026. He was 76 years old. He was born November 12, 1949 in Colfax, WA to R. Paul and D. June (Heilsberg) Cocking.

Dave graduated from Colfax High School in 1968. He excelled in sports, playing basketball, baseball, and football. He was active in student government, theater, and choir. After graduating high school, Dave attended Washington State University, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Agriculture Economics. Following college, Dave received his draft notice during the Vietnam War where he served in the Air National Guard.

After his basic training, Dave married his long-time best friend, Marcia Lowe, on March 24, 1973. He told her he loved her and said if he changed his mind, he would let her know. He never changed his mind. Together they raised three children, which according to Dave, were all boys except for two. Along with their faith, their mutual sense of humor was one of the foundations of their marriage.

Dave and Marcia had a shared enthusiasm for sports. Dave shared his love for sports with his children through coaching them in many levels of youth baseball and AAU basketball, creating the team dubbed “Bubba’s Bombers.” He also coached many levels of school affiliated basketball, starting with junior high boys’ c-squad, then moving to high school boys’ c-squad, high school girls’ junior varsity, then finishing with a girls’ state basketball championship in 2002.

Upon his coaching retirement, Marcia and he followed their children and grandchildren to support them in all of their athletics and activities. Their family is their pride and joy. They were so fortunate to be able to take their entire family on multiple trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, and Arizona.

Dave was a lifelong farmer, starting when he was 12 years old. He enjoyed farming with both his father and son for many years, then truly loved the help of his daughter and grandchildren during harvest. While he did love harvest, his favorite part of farming was plowing. The day before he passed, he proved he could still climb into the combine before what would have been his 64th harvest.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, June Cocking in 1974, Paul Cocking in 2019, and an infant son in 1974.

He is survived by his wife Marcia, daughter Shawnda Booth and husband Darrell, children Lexie, Harper, and Chevy, son Travis Cocking and wife Jill, children Anna, Paige, and Liam, daughter Davelle “Beezer” Cocking, sister Penni Cocking of Seattle, WA and her family, and sister Peggy Nafziger and husband Dan of Troutdale, OR and their family.

A private burial will be held for the family, preceding a celebration of life to be held at the Cocking shop, 1152 Parvin Road, on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at 6:00pm.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Colfax Schools Foundation.