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 | Forrest Junior Cochran July 14, 1930 – May 18, 2012 services directed by Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel |
| Forrest Junior Cochran July 14, 1930 – May 18, 2012 Funeral services for Forrest Junior Cochran, age 81, of Gering, who died May 18, 2012 at home with his family were May 23 at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff with Owen Anderson officiating. Burial followed at East Lawn Cemetery in Minatare. A memorial is established to the Farm And Ranch Museum. Tributes of sympathy maybe left at www.dugankramer.com. Forrest was born July 14, 1930, at Adams County, Iowa to Forrest Stanley and Cora Ann (Crabill) Cochran. He received his early education in Iowa. He moved with his family to Melbeta in 1943, at age 13. He farmed with his father until he was drafted into the Army in September 1951. He was stationed in Fort Ord, Calif. until he was deployed to Korea. He served as a cook’s aid on the ship to Korea, fought on the front lines until he contracted Rheumatic Fever, spent two months in the hospital in Osaka, Japan and then spent three months at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, Colo. He was honorably discharged in September 1952 and spent the next year recuperating in Mesa, Ariz. He married Margy Nealy on March 25, 1951 at the Methodist Church in Gering and had three children. He farmed from 1954 to 2001 on the family farm surrounding Cochran Lake. He loved the early mornings and always said that was the best time of the day. He especially enjoyed the wildlife at the lake. His passion was farming and ranching. He enjoyed raising cows and calves, and was featured in the Business Farmer for his operation. He retired from farming in 2001. He was active in 4-H as a leader and fair board member and served on the extension board for many years. He was an avid supporter in his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids activities, whether it was sports, 4-H, or school activities. He loved playing cards, cribbage, and gambling and spent many hours of his retirement enjoying these games. He never knew a stranger, and loved to visit with anyone. When he moved to Gering in 2002 his interests also included gardening and bird watching, as well as continuing to help his son and grandsons on the family farm. Survivors include his wife: Margy of Gering; sons: Bob (Tamara) of Pine Bluffs, Wyo. and Jack (Debbie) of Banner County; daughter: Susan (Mark) Gies of Gering; eight grandchildren: Chet (Julie), Travis (Erika), Shane (Amanda), Joy, and Casey Cochran, Josh (Raylene), Lacie and Brody Gies, Bethany McCall; eight great-grandchildren: Hallie and Conner (Chet), Jaden and Kylie (Casey), Jacey and Kippen (Shane) Cochran, Dyllan (Brody) and Rubie (Josh) Gies; sisters: Rowena Labertew of Melbeta, Lois Meier of Gering, and Joann Corr of Scottsbluff; brother: Dean Cochran of Mitchell; three sister-in-law; four brother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Jean; wife’s parents; four brother-in-law; three sister-in-law; one niece and three nephews. | |
