John R. Cochran

After a life filled with laughter, love, physical fitness, service to others, and love of God, John R. Cochran, 103, of Kearney passed away Monday, September 25, 2023 at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney. Fiercely independent, John drove his car until age 100, and lived independently until age 101. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Friday, September 29, 2023 at Kearney First United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Fowler officiating. Interment will be held St. Joseph’s Memorial Park in St. Joseph, MO. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to the Dr. John Cochran Scholarship Fund care of the University of Nebraska Kearney Foundation, 214 West 39th Street, Kearney, Nebraska 68845. Condolence may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. John Rodney Cochran was born February 7, 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Floyd and Jesse (Ramser) Cochran. He was raised in St. Joseph, MO where he attended Lafayette High School. On September 27, 1941, John was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and lifetime love, Averil C. Conger in St. Joseph, MO. John proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1943-1946. As a life long learner, John then attended Utah State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1949 and his masters degree in 1950. John later earned his Ph.D from the University of Utah in 1959. His career as a Speech Pathologist and Professor and ability to positively impact students and his peers, took him many places including, Southwest Texas State College, Eastern New Mexico University, University of Alaska, Lehman College of the Bronx, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he retired in 1987. John lived a vibrant and active life, and was dedicated to his own personal fitness and encouraging others that he came in contact with while exercising at the Kearney YMCA. John regularly worked out until age 102, and was an inspiring example of health and good, clean living. In his younger years, John was a runner, and completed several marathons in New Mexico and Alaska. John cherished hiking up to Lone Pine Mesa while at his mountain cabin in Northern New Mexico, and walking the Oldfather Trail at Cottonmill Park. He regularly played pool at the Big Apple in Kearney, and always enjoyed a good game of Scrabble. John enjoyed volunteering at Mt. Carmel Home, and regularly read the residents poetry, lead exercise classes, and sing-a-longs. He was a member of the Kearney First United Methodist Church where he served as a lay speaker and Sunday School teacher for many years. John was also a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and American Psychological Association. John was extremely well read, and always had a word of encouragement and support for those he came into contact with. Left to cherish his well lived life and inspiring example are his son, John Cochran and wife, Carol of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Tammy Long of Kearney; grandchildren, Rachel Cochran, Melissa Mathis and Jenny Riggs. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Averil Cochran; brother Floyd “Buddy” Cochran, Jr.; and his sister Marrillie Good.

John R. Cochran

February 7, 1920 - September 25, 2023