James Walter Cochrane

James (Jim) Walter Cochrane

1942 ~ 2023

James (Jim) Walter Cochrane passed away on Oct. 30, 2023, surrounded by family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Jim was born on Feb. 4, 1942 in Standardville, Utah to James Cochrane and Virginia Greener Cochrane. He was the oldest of 3 boys. He attended elementary school and junior high school in East Carbon, Utah, attended 11th grade at Carbon High in Price, Utah and then graduated from East Carbon High School in 1960. He played baseball, football, basketball and track during his years of school, and has enjoyed many years of watching sporting events between his children, grandchildren and on TV. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing through the years – one year, while living in WY, there were so many deer, antelope and elk hanging in the garage, the joke in town was Cochrane's meat locker is open.

Jim married Saundra R. Thomas on Sept. 29, 1962 in Spring Glen, Utah. They met during their junior year of HS at Carbon High and Jim proceeded to court her for the next several years. They moved to Long Beach, CA. for a year where Jim worked for ARCO. They then moved to Porterville, CA. for Jim to attend Porterville College, where he studied accounting and played football for the school. While in Porterville, their first child was born, a little girl. After Porterville, they spent some time in Newark, CA. where Jim was the office manager for a blast-furnace brick manufacturer. While in Newark, they added 3 children to the family, two sons and a daughter. In 1971, they moved to Helper, Utah, where Jim worked for Braztah Coal Mining Company as an accountant. In 1978, they moved to Hanna WY, where Jim worked as an accountant and office manager for Carbon County Coal Company. While they lived in Hanna, Jim served as Mayor for the town for several years. In 1986, they moved to Flagstaff, AZ. where he and his brothers bought a restaurant, The Lone Pine, and worked together for several years. In 1989, Jim changed directions and went back to accounting. They then moved to Vernal, Utah, where he worked for Deseret Power. In 1999, Deseret Power transferred Jim to the Salt Lake office, so Jim and Saundra moved to Herriman, Utah, where they have been ever since. Jim retired from Deseret Power in 2007.

Jim's sense of humor is legendary. He was the class clown and grew up feeling invincible, thinking he could do anything– for example, when he was around 9 years old, he thought that he could swing a swing up and over and around the top bar of the swing set, falling off and breaking one arm while spraining the wrist of his other arm in the process. Another story was one time while Jim was Bishop, conducting Sacrament meeting, he mentioned how the week had been going with his household saying, "Candy & Kelly got straight A's and Brent & Todd received several blue ribbons at their swim meet and Saundra gained 5 lbs."

Jim was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Feb. 1976. Jim was sealed to his wife, Saundra, and their children on Feb. 26, 1977 at the Provo, Utah temple for time and all eternity. Jim served as an Elder's Quorum President in Helper, Utah and then as Bishop in Hanna, WY. Jim and Saundra worked at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for 13 years, serving as ordinance workers. After working at the temple, they were called to an 18-month MLS mission, member leadership mission; for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jim had a strong testimony and remained faithful until the end. He died knowing that we can all be together as a family in the eternities.

He is survived by his wife, Saundra R. (Thomas) Cochrane and children; Candy (David) Field, Brent Cochrane, Todd Cochrane and Kelly (Mark) Orton. Grandchildren: Michelle, Jessica, Stacey, Shawn, Mitch, Stephanie, Brian and Tanner. Great-Grandchildren: Emily, Lana, Gavin, Braxton, Kaiden, Riley, McKade, Cassie & Cameron.

He was preceded in death by his parents; James Cochrane and Virginia Greener Cochrane, his brother, Carl Cochrane and a nephew, Jimmy Cochrane.

Funeral services will be held on Sat, Nov. 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 6986 W. McCuistion Ave, Herriman, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Broomfield Funeral Home at 12600 South 2200 West, Riverton, Utah. Interment will be at the Price City Cemetery, Price, Utah.

If you would like to visit with the family, please come to the viewing as they will be leaving for Price immediately following the funeral service.