Robert J. Kocot, Sr.

Robert J. Kocot, Sr, 86, of Beaumont, died Monday, March 24, 2025.  He was born on March 20, 1939, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Lillian Kaminski and Dominick Kocot. Robert was a United States Marine Corp veteran.

Robert, or Bob as most people called him, spent his childhood years in Jersey City, New Jersey where he was the eldest son with four younger sisters. He earned scholarships to the local Catholic high school where he excelled in basketball and track winning countless trophies and awards. He was offered college scholarships from Villanova and Seton Hall but chose to serve his country as a United States Marine instead.

He met and married the love of his life, Winnie, while serving in the Corp. They were transferred to Hawaii shortly after they wed, where once again his athletic skills were in demand. He was drafted to play basketball for the Marine team where he had the opportunity to travel and compete with many college teams. He was the only non-officer on the team where he earned the nickname “Bob the Shot” and was counted on for making clutch shots. Bob loved music and purchased an old second hand piano and taught himself to play. He also played the accordion and harmonica, and loved to write his own songs and perform them for any and everyone who would listen.

Bob and Winnie had two children during his eight-years of service, and moved back to Winnie’s hometown of Weston, Georgia, after he was discharged. There Bob worked as a “repo-man” for Sears during the day and earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southwestern College at night. He would go on to earn his Master’s Degree in Business from Troy State University, and his Jurist Doctorate from Woodrow Wilson College in Atlanta, Georgia while working full time and raising a family.  He loved to study and enjoyed working math problems for fun! Bob worked his way up in the retail business climbing the corporate ladder at several different companies, finally landing the job of CFO of the Fair Store in Beaumont, Texas.

His ultra-competitive nature would serve him well when he was diagnosed with a blocked artery in his heart in his early 50’s.  After having a stent put in, he decided to put his running shoes back on and began competing in the Senior Olympic Games in Texas. He competed in multiple running competitions as well at the long jump, the javelin throw, and the shot put and won dozens of gold, silver and bronze medals. He and Winnie traveled the state for several years for his competitions, until he had to give it up because he wore out his hip.

Bob and Winnie retired in Beaumont, after spending about ten years in Arlington, Texas where they followed a career opportunity for Winnie. He didn’t slow down in retirement, but immediately began serving his church, Saint Jude Thaddeus, and his community in several leadership roles. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Serra Club and substitute teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School. He faithfully cared for his wife, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, until his last breath.  He was loved by all who knew him, whether for a day or a lifetime.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-two years, Winnie Kocot; children, Lani White and her husband, Chuck, of Orange, and Robert J. Kocot, Jr. and his wife, Robyn, of Beaumont; grandchildren, Alexandra Cleveland and Joseph D. Kocot; great-grandchildren, Conor Cleveland, Lucas Cleveland, and Danielle Cleveland; sisters, Joan Konopka and Barbara Wisnewski; and numerous extended family, friends, and loved ones.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Rosemary Dugan.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Serra Vocational Ministry P.O. Box 12316 Beaumont, Texas 77726.

A gathering of Mr. Kocot’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. His interment will be held at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, at a later date.