Kenneth D. Cochrane of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died in his sleep at his home with his family near on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the age 90, after a struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Ken was born on May 3, 1922, at the farm house of his parents, Robert and Nettie Cochrane, on the shores of Lake Cochrane in Gary, S.D.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Anne (“Betty”) Cochrane; three children, Jan, Rick, and Steve; granddaughter, Paige Pickett; great-granddaughter, Ainsley and his faithful companion and guardian Ripley.
He was predeceased by his parents, as well as two brothers, Maynard and Donald; two sisters, Margret and Evadna.
Ken attended grades one through eight in a one room school house in Gary, S.D. He graduated from Gary High School, where he played trumpet in the band and orchestra and was captain of the basketball team. He continued his education at Fletcher College in University Park, Ia., and joined the Army in 1942. He received a bronze medal during WWII. He and his wife Betty met at college and began their 68 years of marriage in April, 1944.
When he returned from the war, Ken and Betty moved to Chattanooga, where he attended The University of Chattanooga and received a degree in music. He began a teaching career at Brainerd Junior High. After three years of teaching, Ken and Betty and their new born daughter Jan moved to Ft. Worth, where Ken attended Southwestern Baptist Seminary.
The Cochranes then moved to Jackson, Tn., where Ken became the minister of music at the First Baptist Church. While in Jackson, their second child, Rick, was born.
After two years in Jackson, the family moved to Augusta, Ga., where Ken led the music at the First Baptist Church. While in Augusta, Steve, the Cochrane’s third child, was born. Ken’s music career in Augusta brought on the first of many hand bell choirs in the Southeast.
After nine years in Augusta, the Cochranes moved to Chattanooga, where he began a long and fulfilling musical journey with McCallie School as the head of the music department. In addition, he lead the music at several churches in Chattanooga distinguishing himself in choral music.
From his early start in Augusta, Ken developed hand bell choirs in the Chattanooga area, including the McCallie Handbells, and several church handbell choirs, and started a select group of players from the metro area which lead to the Metropolitan Handbells.
Ken was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, minister and friend. He will be deeply missed by those who love him, but his faith in God and the knowledge that he lived a life rich in love allowed him to be at peace in his final days.
There will be a graveside service at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Holtzclaw Avenue, on Friday, May 18, at 2 p.m. for family and close friends.
On Saturday, May 19, a visitation and memorial service will be held at Brainerd Methodist Church. A gathering will be held from 1:30-2 p.m. The service will begin at 2 p.m. with the visitation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Society for Pulmonary Fibrosis, http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/donate
A special thanks to Amedisys Hospice and the nurses and doctor who were so kind to him.
Send condolences at www.CovenantFuneral.com.
Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Cremation Service, Crox family-owned and operated.