James Robert Cochrane

1938 - 2021

James Robert Cochrane
James Robert Cochrane, 83, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Kishwaukee Hospital surrounded by family.
James was born October 4, 1938 in DeKalb, Illinois, the son of Emery and Olive Mae (Sparks) Cochrane.
Jim was 3rd youngest of 11 children. He was a graduate of DeKalb High School class of 1956 at which time he along with his brother Jr. enlisted in the US Army. He married his sweetheart Judith K. Henigan in 1958, spending 63 years together. After the military Jim and Judie along with their oldest son Jeffrey settled in Malta, Illinois in which two other sons James Jr. and Joel were born. Jim worked for Pease Lumber in Malta until the McDonalds in DeKalb opened up. Jim was well known during his McDonalds days, and would go as far as to have taken some of his employees to take their drivers test if their parents were too busy. Jim went to the DeKalb Co Farm Bureau, where he worked till his stroke, determined to not letting that get the best of him he worked hard in his rehab and used yard work as therapy. He was very passionate about his yard and took much pride in how it looked.
Jim always, went that extra mile to help others and his family, he helped Malta baseball program get on its feet along with being the Malta Boy Scout Master and volunteer fireman in Malta. While raising his family and working, Jim found time to get his Associates Degree from Kishwaukee College. Jim knew a lot of people and never had a problem making new friends. Jim and Judie were able to do some traveling in their late years with friends and family. Jim was also passionate about his lord and savior Jesus Christ. Jim and Judie belong to the Malta Methodist then later the Sycamore United Methodist Church.
Jim loved his family very much. He also loved playing games with his grandchildren. Jim had a passion for the Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks, highlighted by the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016, and Seeing Carlos Zambranos no -hitter by the Cubs winning with one of his sons and three grandsons and a Bears Super Bowl victory.
He is survived by his wife Judie; sons, Jeffrey (Gina) Cochrane of Sycamore, Illinois, Jamie of Malta and Joel (Beth) of Citra, Florida; grandchildren, Keith Cochrane, Jacob Cochrane, Quintin Cochrane, Catlyn (Jared) Rocchino, Courtney Cochrane; great-grandchildren, Levi Cochrane and Caroline Rocchino; one brother, Charles of Estero, Florida; sister-in-law, Kathie Cochrane of DeKalb and Several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emery and Olive Cochrane; siblings, Wilma, Bill, Viola, Betty, Paul, Mary, Roger, Emery Jr. and Sandra.
The Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb with the Rev. Dan Swinson of the Sycamore United Methodist Church officiating. Full Military Honors by DeKalb American Legion Post 66.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the James Robert Cochrane Memorial Fund, addressed to the Cochrane Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, Ltd., P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.
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