CORNING, Ark. -- James Cochran, 88, of Jonesboro, Ark., passed from this life Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at St. Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was known as "Daddy" by his children and "Poppa" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many knew him by his childhood nickname of Dinkin.
He was born in Crockett on Oct. 3, 1929, the son of Virgil Otto Cochran and Myrtle Lee (Bradberry) Cochran.
He met the love of his life, Veda at the Corning Bus Station Café and they were married Sept. 13, 1955. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary before she passed away in 2014. Veda had two sons, Larry and Stanley, when they were married and to these boys he was always "Dad". He and Veda had two daughters, Rebecca Jane and Donna. He and Veda lived most of their lives together in Corning and then moved to Doniphan, Mo. in 1978. James moved to Jonesboro after his beloved "Gorgeous" passed.
James worked for Clay County Electric in Corning and later Ozark Border Electric in Doniphan. After he retired, he liked to stay busy and eventually took a job working part time at the Missouri Forge. He was also a veteran of the Korean War.
James loved life. He and Veda loved their family and were very proud of them all. Doing things together as a family was a big part of their lives. The family spent many memorable weekends at Thomas Park on Current River and he and Veda camped at Robinson Point on Lake Norfork as often as possible. James was an avid jug fisherman, he truly loved to go juggin'. James never met a stranger and he always enjoyed meeting people and talking with them.
He is survived by his children: Stanley (Sheila) Wooldridge of Jonesboro, Rebecca (Mike) Lafoon of Fairburn, Ga., Donna Britton of Jonesboro, and Wendy (Chris) Rasmussen of Spokane, Wash.; sister: Dois Jean Phelan; grandchildren: Chris (Amy) Wooldridge of Newalla, Okla.. TJ Britton of Jonesboro, Nikki (Heath) Rogers of Lake Placid, Fla., and Tysha (Chris) Blaylock of Lawrenceville, Ga.; great-grandchildren: Zoe, Katie, Henry, Landen, Lizzie, Lucas, Tommy, Bradley, Logan; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Dollie Veda (French) Cochran, and parents, he was preceded in death by his son Larry Wooldridge and brother Charles Cochran.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 Sunday, Nov. 26, at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Corning Cemetery.
Online condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com
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