In Memoriam: Marion Cochran

Words: Matthew AdamsMarion Cochran, 84, died Friday, April 30, 2010 following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Marion was born on December 4, 1925 in Newton, N.C. to Robert Puett Cochran, Sr. and Marie Goforth Cochran.

He was predeceased by his older brothers Robert P. Cochran, Jr. and George A. (Pete) Cochran,Sr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Farish Sizemore Cochran of the home, and by his sons Thomas Farish Cochran and wife Katy and Robert Andrew Cochran and wife Anne, all of Charlotte. His wonderful grandchildren, Thomas, Jr., Lillie, Hallie and Rob, Jr., loved "Granddaddy" very much. He is also survived by his sister Virginia Cochran Setzer of Gastonia and nieces and nephews Marie Trotter, Susan Cotter, Anne Mullins, Arden Gaddy, Andrew Cochran, Jr., Craig Setzer, Douglas Setzer, Fred Setzer, Lynne Sizemore, Trip Sizemore, and Don Sizemore.

Marion was the glue that held his extended family together and made everyone stay in touch, young and old. The family historian, he maintained the written records and located over 270 years of family gravesites, insisting on their upkeep.

He served during WWII in Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division (Blackhawk), fighting in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria as a gunner in an anti-tank platoon, including the Battle of Remagen. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and other medals. After VE Day, he joined the Pacific forces gathering to invade Japan. He was in the middle of the Pacific on a troop ship when they bombed Hiroshima. He completed his service in the Philippines.

He graduated from NC State in 1950 and was a member of Chi Epsilon Honorary Civil Engineering fraternity. He spent his long career in the brick industry, retiring first as Executive Director of the Brick Association of North Carolina. Not being the retiring type, he jumped at the chance for another career as Senior Engineering Consultant at Boren Brick Company.

He was a member of the Mayflower Society and the Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the National Association of Professional Engineers and all local and state engineering organizations.

Marion Cochran never met a stranger and all who knew him will miss his hearty laugh and his wry wit.

The family is particularly grateful to all the angels at Hospice's Beacon Place, Camden Place and neighbors Ellen Cosby and Charles Church who made his last days as wonderful as they could be.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to West Market Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O Box 870, Greensboro, NC 27402-0870 and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405-4522.

Online condolences may be made to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
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