Gary E. Cochran

Gary E. Cochran, 66, was born on Nov. 29, 1943, in a log cabin just west of Roscoe to Iva Cochran and the late Blond E. Cochran. At the age of two, he and his parents moved to the current location where Iva still resides which is only about three miles from where Gary was born. Gary came to rest on the evening of Dec. 12, 2009, at his residence only three miles south of
his childhood home.

Gary was a very family oriented man. He was very fortunate that his mother, brother, son, daughter, grandkids, uncle, cousins and a nephew all lived within a five mile radius of him. 

Gary graduated from El Dorado Spring High School in 1961. Gary joined the Army in 1964 and later returned home in 1966.

Gary met his loving wife of 40 wonderful years, Lavoye Hannah on Labor Day weekend September 1967. Gary and Lavoye married in June of 1969.

Their first big surprise came to Gary and Lavoye early in February 1973, which was their son, Cole E. Cochran. Their second big surprise came to them in May 1978, which was their daughter, Brandy D. Cochran. Their third big surprise came to them in 2001, which is when Brandy married Jason D. Matter, along with stepson, Jayson Bailey Matter in April 2001 and their first grandchild, Amie Matter, in September 2001. Cole married Tricia Patroske in October 2001. In the last eight years, the kids have added to the family a few more grandkids - Clay Matter and Sammi and Ce Ce Cochran which was a huge part of Gary’s life. Like waking up next to his loving wife every morning and always looked forward to seeing his kids and grandkids each and everyday.

Gary was a very dedicated and hardworking individual. Gary was a welder by trade which he was very well known for, and a farmer by birth. Gary had his own business as a welder, Gary E. Cochran Welding. Gary was a very creative welder and would come up with his own inventions which he called CLEM. Each new CLEM would get a number which could be CLEM 25 today and if you ask him in a couple days that same CLEM might be number 352.

Gary liked messing with his cattle, building fence and most of all working on the farm with his John Deere tractors. Gary liked to have, what he called quality time, which was spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids and friends. Whether it was hunting, fishing, visiting for hours, having a weenie roast in the middle of the timber, taking pictures with the grandkids, or what he called “Gatorvating” which is going for a ride on his John Deere gator just riding around looking at the wildlife and the countryside.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Blond E. Cochran, and his father-in-law, “Buster” Hannah. 

Gary is survived by his wife, Lavoye Cochran; mother, Iva Cochran, brother, Gerald Ray Cochran, and Jeannie; uncle Merle Cochran, and wife, Jo Ann; aunts, Earlene Premer – Independence, and Wilma Howard - of Oregon; son, Cole Cochran; daughter-in-law, Tricia Cochran; granddaughters, Sammi and Ce Ce Cochran; daughter, Brandy Matter, and son-in-law, Jason Matter; and grandkids - Bailey, Amie and Clay - all of El Dorado Springs; brother in law, Chris Hannah, and wife, Lisa – Osceola, and Jerry Hannah, and Jennifer, - Billings; nephews - Benny Cochran, and wife, Lisa, Mark Cochran, Jimmy Cochran, and wife, Barbara - of El Dorado Springs, Duel Hannah, and girlfriend, Angela (or PeeWee as Gary called her) - Osceola, Justin Hannah, and wife, Le Ann – Adrian, and a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews and a large array of friends. 
Gary was loved by many and he will be missed by all greatly.

Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 16, in Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel, Osceola, with Rev. Larry Wheeler and Rev. Larry Young officiating. Music was On The Wings Of A Dove, Amazing Grace and Farther Along by Jim Hearn. Military services were conducted by Clinton VFW Post #1894. Interment was in Pleasant Springs Cemetery, Oyer, under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.

Casketbearers were - Cole Cochran, Brandy Matter, Tricia Cochran, Jason Matter, Gerald Cochran, Jerry Hannah, Duel Hannah and Chris Hannah. Honorary casketbearers were - Sammi Cochran, Bailey Matter, Ce Ce Cochran, Amie Matter, Nicki, Clay Matter, Benny Cochran, Justin Hannah, Mark Cochran, Leo Rysted, Jimmy Cochran, Bill McClain and Sam Breeden.