Charles M. Cocanougher

2010 Outstanding Alumni

Dr. Charles M. Cocanougher, '55

Dr. Charles M. Cocanougher, '55, started his own private practice in Decatur, Texas in 1956. A year later, he was called into the service and served as a USAF Captain and base veterinarian. After two years, he returned to private practice and by the time he retired, he had established three clinics in Wise County with two partners, practicing primarily food animal medicine. He also started a manufactured housing park and self-storage business while practicing veterinary medicine. After his retirement, he continued to manage these two businesses and is still active in these endeavors today.

Dr. Cocanougher has been and continues to be an active member of his community and church. He is the past president and rodeo secretary of the Wise Co. Sheriff's Posse, has served as a city councilman for the City of Decatur, is a past president and member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, was awarded Decatur Citizen of the Year in 1985, is a past officer and member of the Decatur Rotary Club, is a charter member and past chairman of the Wise Co. American Heart Association chapter and is a past chairperson for the Wise Co. Appraisal District. Cocanougher has served on the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) board of directors and has also been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for 42 years.

Dr. Cocanougher and his wife have been generous to fellow Texas A&M veterinary medical students by endowing ten scholarships through the Texas A&M Foundation. They have also established two annuities which will be donated to the college after their lifetimes.

He and his wife, JoAnn, are well aware of the financial challenges faced by many vet students. They were married in his junior year, and while he raised pigs to pay for school, she worked as the women's page editor of The Battalion. They began their family while he was still in school and eventually had five children-four of whom graduated from Texas A&M University. A granddaughter has since graduated from Texas A&M, as well. In August, the Cocanoughers will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary.