Gene Brown Cochran's Obituary
Gene B. Cochran, 93, of Cordova, TN, passed away peacefully of natural causes on August 1, 2025.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sanda T. Cochran; his children Brent (Angela Reffel), Van (Rhonda Cochran), and Carl Cochran, and their mother, Patricia Cochran. He was preceded in death by his son, Lee Cochran. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Anton and Kara Cochran; and great-granddaughter, Lennon Cochran.
Born on May 22, 1932, in Greeneville, TN, Gene lived a life marked by achievement, leadership, and service. In high school, he was president of his class, captain of the football team, an Eagle Scout, and an amateur magician. He went on to play freshman football for the University of Tennessee under the legendary General Neyland. During his college years, he served as regimental commander of the UT ROTC, vice president of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, president of the senior class, and was honored as a Torchbearer, the university’s highest student distinction. He graduated in 1954 with a degree in engineering.
Following graduation, Gene served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Greenland, where he worked on the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line defense system. He began his professional career at Buckeye Cellulose Corporation, a division of Procter & Gamble, and later purchased part of its Memphis operations, founding the Cochran Corporation.
Gene’s commitment to his community was reflected as a longtime business advisor to Madonna Day School (now The Madonna Learning Center), his service as a deacon at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, and his service on the boards of the Memphis Board of Trade and the Midsouth Grain Inspection Service and was past president of both. A lifelong supporter of the arts, Gene loved the theater and served for many years on the board of Theatre Memphis, including two terms as its president.
Services for Gene will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Fireside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for visitation an hour prior to the service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Madonna Learning Center or Theatre Memphis
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