Mr. James S. Cochran was born Nov. 18, 1925, to Thomas Jefferson Cochran and Mary Elizabeth Ryals Cochran in Buna, Texas. He passed away on Nov. 21, 2011, at Memorial Hospital with his beloved family at his side.
He attended schools in Buna and Stephen F. Austin State University. He and Marvis Christopher Cochran were married April 18, 1946, in Beaumont, Texas. To this union, four children were born: Ann Cochran Summers, Sue Cochran Summers, James Michael Cochran, and Joyce Cochran Russell.
James served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga during World War II from 1942 until 1945. He lived and worked in Beaumont and Nacogdoches, having been employed the Texas Department of Transportation for approximately 35 years. He retired in 1990 as a Superintendent of Parks.
James was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was also a loving son, husband, brother, uncle, and great-uncle.
He is survived by his four children, Ann Cochran Summers and husband Henry, Sue Cochran Summers and husband William, James Michael Cochran, and Joyce Cochran Russell and husband Lono, all of Nacogdoches, Texas; six grandchildren, Cheryl Fenlason and husband Allen of Fort Collins, Colorado, Craig Summers and wife Charene of Nacogdoches, Texas, Tracey Brewer and husband Ted of Mesquite, Texas, Kristi Courvelle and husband Richard of Nacogdoches, Texas, Carrie Hobbs and husband Roy of Balch Springs, Texas, and April Parrish and husband Todd of Woden, Texas; fourteen great-grandchildren, Aaron Martinez and wife Katie of Denver, Colorado, Christopher Martinez, Hannah Fenlason, A.J. Fenlason, all of Fort Collins, Colorado, Jacob Summers and Joshua Summers of Nacogdoches, Texas, Tyler Brewer and Taylor Brewer of Mesquite, Texas, Michael Courvelle and Emma Courvelle of Nacogdoches, Texas, Lacy Parrish and Lane Parrish of Woden, Texas, and Lexi Hobbs and Clayton Hobbs of Balch Springs, Texas; and one great-great granddaughter, Faith Ann Martinez of Fort Collins, Colorado. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Melva Hines of Nacogdoches, Texas; a brother-in-law, Charles A. Hancock of Nacogdoches; and a very special great-nephew, Elmer Adaway and wife Karen; as well as many other nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife; his parents; a sister, Nadine Cochran Sermons; sister-in-law, Mavis Christopher Hancock; brother-in-law, James M. Hines; two great-great-grandchildren, MacKenna Grace Martinez and Baby Hobbs.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, located at 2548 FM 2112 in Nacogdoches County, with Bro. John Withem and Bro. Charles A. “Chuck” Hancock officiating. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas. Online obituary posted and condolences accepted at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
