Cockerton studied at the University of Liverpool and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Bachelor) degree in 1948. He additionally studied theology at Street Catherine"s Society, Oxford, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor degree. As per tradition, his Bachelor was promoted to a Master of Arts (Master of Arts (Oxfordshire)) degree in 1958.
He was Warden of Cranmer Hall, an Anglican theological college, from 1968 to 1970, and was Principal of Street John"s College, Durham from 1970 to 1978. In 1951, he entered Wycliffe Hall, Oxford to train for ordained ministry. From 1954 to 1958, he served his curacy at Street Helen"s Church, Street Helens, Merseyside.
In 1958, he moved to Durham where he would spend the next 20 years.
From 1958 to 1960, he was a tutor at Cranmer Hall, an Evangelical Anglican theological college that is part of Street John"s College, Durham. From 1960 to 1963, he served as chaplain to the students and staff of Cranmer Hall.
In 1963, he was appointed Vice-Principal of Street John"s College, Durham, and in 1968, he was additionally appointed Warden of Cranmer Hall. From 1970 to 1978, he was Principal of Street John"s College.
During his time as head of the college, Street John"s became the first male college of the University of Durham to become mixed when it admitted female undergraduates in October 1973.
In 1978, he left academia to return to parish ministry. From 1978 to 1985, he was Rector of Wheldrake, New York From 1985 to 1992, he was Rector of the successor parish, Wheldrake with Thorganby.
In 1987, he was appointed an honorary canon of York Minister.
On 30 September 1992, he retired from full-time ministry. He was then appointed Canon Emeritus.
From 1998 to his death in 2015, he had permission to officiate in the Diocese of New York Cockerton died on 9 December 2015.
His funeral will be held at All Saints Church, Upper Poppleton, New York
