Donald Lee Cochran

Obituary for Donald Lee Cochran

Donald Lee Cochran passed away on November 28, 2020 at the New Mexico State Veterans’ Home. He had recently turned 86 years old. The staff did their best to make him comfortable in his last hours after he was stricken with COVID19. He died in the same town where his grandfather is buried.

Don was born just outside Clovis, NM and made his way to all four corners of the USA throughout his adult life. He moved in adolescence to join his mother, living in Palouse, WA. After graduating with an Electrical Engineering Degree from WSU in Pullman, WA, he joined the US Army and was stationed briefly in Georgia before deploying to Europe. Upon his return from service, he worked for Hughes Aircraft Company. Initially, his work was in the NE and then ultimately in Los Angeles. He could not tolerate the pollution of Southern California, so around 1970 he moved to Lacey, WA where he would spend his next three decades. A teaching career followed by self-employment kept him busy in the Pacific Northwest. He would ultimately move to T or C in 1998.

His decision to move to T or C was due to proximity to his then still living mother, a vibrant senior community, and the weather. You might have been fortunate enough to see Don and his mother Mildred, occasionally dancing together at the Pine Knot or the T or C Senior Center. ‘Dancin’ Don treasured every one of his many friendships that he made at his favorite establishments: Bar-B-Que on Broadway, the Pine Knot, T or C Senior Center, and McDonalds, among others.

He is survived by his two brothers: Jim, and Glen; three sons: Aaron, Steve, and David; as well as two granddaughters, that he was able to play with in the sweetest fashion even in his waning years.

A private memorial service will be held at a later-date.

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