Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Cochran
Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Cochran
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Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Cochran, USAF, Retired
Lieutenant Colonel Chuck Cochran blocked out on God's time for an on-time departure early morning Christmas Eve. Chuck was always amazed that in one lifetime he progressed from helping to plow with a team of horses to reaching the speed of sound in a single engine jet airplane.
Chuck was born on November 4, 1930, in Shelbyville, Indiana to the Late Ralph and Estella Cochran. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1947.
Chuck met Charlotte Sutheimer on a blind date when they were both students at I.U. Married in 1952, they were together 68 years until her death three years ago. Their son Stephen was born in 1961 and sadly he died in 2000 as a result of an auto accident in which he was a passenger.
Chuck was in ROTC as a student at I.U. During his first year of law school in 1953 he was called to active duty in the Air Force. Chuck planned on doing the two years he owed the military and returning to law school.
Plans change. Chuck's return to law school was delayed for 25 years. He entered pilot training and excelled. Chuck enjoyed flying. As an Air Force pilot, he flew 7,000 hours in eight different types of airplanes. During the Vietnam war, he flew over 200 sorties in the combat zone for which he was credited with 87 missions and received two Air Medals.
After retiring from the Air Force, Chuck returned to law school. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 1985 and ended his law career as a judge in Ohio. After retiring from his second career, he and his wife Char returned to Shelbyville.
Together, the Cochrans enjoyed many years in the antique automobile hobby, specializing in Chrysler and DeSoto Airflows and winning several national awards. Both were also dog lovers, and in their later years, adopted three rescue racing Greyhounds.
Visitation will be at Friday December 29, 2023 from 10 a.m. to noon at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176.
Services will follow at noon at the funeral home with Rev. Seth Taylor officiating with military rites conducted by our Local Veteran Organizations.
Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Funeral Directors, Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Chuck's family.
Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Christine Forster-Pearl
July 19, 2024
Chuck Cochran was an attorney in the Stark County Public Defender's office, where I was the administrative assistant. We became good friends. On one occasion we were attending the same event; Chuck offered to pick me up at my home to drive together. At that time he met my children; I remember Chuck giving my pre-teen son a medal while they chatted. I don't remember the significance of the medal, or if my son has even kept it. But, my son also enlisted with the U. S. Air Force and served for just over 21 years. It was the BEST choice he could have made for his life. I've also learned my son and Chuck share the same birthday, 40 years apart, and that they both enjoyed antique/vintage cars. My grandson followed in his father's footsteps and is currently serving in the Air Force. I so regret Chuck and I lost touch -- I would have loved to have shared this story with him. Chuck Cochran was one of the GOOD GUYS -- certainly the best guy I ever knew. Intelligent, straight forward, certainly accomplished, caring and handsome -- with a mischievous side. It seemed no matter where he was in life he was going to enjoy it to the fullest -- and I believe he did! Godspeed, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cochran!
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