BEDFORD - Scott E. Cockrell, 65, died peacefully Dec. 1, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Sept. 26, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Edwin E. and Mary (Adler) Cockrell. He earned his bachelor's degree from MIT, where he was a member of Phi Beta Epsilon fraternity, and received an MBA from Northeastern University.

He served in the Army at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland during the Vietnam War. He was a computer programmer and was employed by Fidelity Investments for the past 10 years.

Scott was a Bedford resident for the past 26 years. He was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church.

Scott was an accomplished mountain climber and outdoorsman. As a member of the Highpointers Club, he was the 80th person to climb the highest mountain in every state, including Mt. McKinley (Denali) in Alaska. He climbed all of New England's 4,000-foot peaks and New England's 100 highest peaks. He climbed peaks in Scotland, Iceland, Australia, Macedonia and Bulgaria.

In 2004, he joined a volunteer search and recovery expedition to look for two lost hikers in the Torngat Mountains of Labrador, Canada. Volunteering for the Appalachian Mountain Club, he maintained the Sandwich Mountain trail in the White Mountains for 23 years. He maintained the Cascade Link trail on Mt. Monadnock for the past four years. Scott climbed Mt. Monadnock over 400 times.

Scott shared his enthusiasm for the outdoors by volunteering as a chaperone for the Bedford eighth-grade Cardigan trip for several years. He volunteered as a Dock Master for the Head of the Charles Regatta for 10 years. Scott was also a runner and completed several races, including three marathons. He enjoyed playing and studying bridge throughout his life, and he earned the rank of Life Master from the American Contract Bridge League.

Scott was a steadfast and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. His gentleness, strength, kindness, humor and courage will always be remembered.

Scott is survived by his wife of 31 years, Corrie Cockrell; three daughters, Braya Cockrell, Jamie R. Cockrell and Elizabeth E. Cockrell; four sisters, Marilyn B. Cockrell, Susan R. Cockrell, Karen M. Cockrell and Janet M. Cismesia; nieces Jennifer and Jessica Cismesia; and nephew Shannon Cockrell.

.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. at Bedford Presbyterian Church, 1 Church Road, Bedford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Monadnock land conservation project of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests at http://goo.gl/nYugw. Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information, go to lambertfuneralhome.com.