Donald Leon Cochran was born to Virgil William and Cora Anita (Trump) Cochran on February 12, 1932 at Grace Memorial Hospital in Hutchinson, Kansas. He joined sister Anna Jo, born February 2, 1930. He attended schools in Hutchinson, Kansas and then graduated from Pomona High School, Pomona, California. Don and his family returned to Hutchinson, Kansas where he attended Hutchinson Community College. Then, in 1952 during the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
On June 21, 1953 Don married Virginia Lee Elmore, daughter of Everett and Viola Elmore, at the Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson Kansas. To this union three daughters and a son were born: Debra Lea, Donetta Kaye, Jennifer Jo and William Everette.
Don spent his career in various places around the world. After retiring, he and Ginny moved to Aurora, Colorado where they could spend weekends in Gunnison, Colorado where his parents had built a cabin in the late 1950's. The most relaxing and enjoyable moments of his life were spent fly fishing in the streams in the hills surrounding Gunnison—or "God's Country" as he liked to call it. Don was a family-oriented man and enjoyed doing things with them such as special trips into the hills, going to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, showing them the Black Canyon near Gunnison and just generally being with them—perhaps playing card games or board games. Don was a gifted pianist and enjoyed playing. Don grew to love the classics and enjoyed relaxing and playing the piano for himself and his family.
Don was also a gifted "woods crafter". He learned this hobby from his father who was also quite gifted in woodworking. Don thoroughly enjoyed spending time in his shop (the garage) and, as he would say: "making sawdust".
Don was diagnosed with cancer in January 1981 and on September 13, 1981 his family was deeply saddened when he quietly slipped away.
On June 21, 1953 Don married Virginia Lee Elmore, daughter of Everett and Viola Elmore, at the Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson Kansas. To this union three daughters and a son were born: Debra Lea, Donetta Kaye, Jennifer Jo and William Everette.
Don spent his career in various places around the world. After retiring, he and Ginny moved to Aurora, Colorado where they could spend weekends in Gunnison, Colorado where his parents had built a cabin in the late 1950's. The most relaxing and enjoyable moments of his life were spent fly fishing in the streams in the hills surrounding Gunnison—or "God's Country" as he liked to call it. Don was a family-oriented man and enjoyed doing things with them such as special trips into the hills, going to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, showing them the Black Canyon near Gunnison and just generally being with them—perhaps playing card games or board games. Don was a gifted pianist and enjoyed playing. Don grew to love the classics and enjoyed relaxing and playing the piano for himself and his family.
Don was also a gifted "woods crafter". He learned this hobby from his father who was also quite gifted in woodworking. Don thoroughly enjoyed spending time in his shop (the garage) and, as he would say: "making sawdust".
Don was diagnosed with cancer in January 1981 and on September 13, 1981 his family was deeply saddened when he quietly slipped away.
Donald Leon Cochran was born to Virgil William and Cora Anita (Trump) Cochran on February 12, 1932 at Grace Memorial Hospital in Hutchinson, Kansas. He joined sister Anna Jo, born February 2, 1930. He attended schools in Hutchinson, Kansas and then graduated from Pomona High School, Pomona, California. Don and his family returned to Hutchinson, Kansas where he attended Hutchinson Community College. Then, in 1952 during the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
On June 21, 1953 Don married Virginia Lee Elmore, daughter of Everett and Viola Elmore, at the Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson Kansas. To this union three daughters and a son were born: Debra Lea, Donetta Kaye, Jennifer Jo and William Everette.
Don spent his career in various places around the world. After retiring, he and Ginny moved to Aurora, Colorado where they could spend weekends in Gunnison, Colorado where his parents had built a cabin in the late 1950's. The most relaxing and enjoyable moments of his life were spent fly fishing in the streams in the hills surrounding Gunnison—or "God's Country" as he liked to call it. Don was a family-oriented man and enjoyed doing things with them such as special trips into the hills, going to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, showing them the Black Canyon near Gunnison and just generally being with them—perhaps playing card games or board games. Don was a gifted pianist and enjoyed playing. Don grew to love the classics and enjoyed relaxing and playing the piano for himself and his family.
Don was also a gifted "woods crafter". He learned this hobby from his father who was also quite gifted in woodworking. Don thoroughly enjoyed spending time in his shop (the garage) and, as he would say: "making sawdust".
Don was diagnosed with cancer in January 1981 and on September 13, 1981 his family was deeply saddened when he quietly slipped away.
On June 21, 1953 Don married Virginia Lee Elmore, daughter of Everett and Viola Elmore, at the Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson Kansas. To this union three daughters and a son were born: Debra Lea, Donetta Kaye, Jennifer Jo and William Everette.
Don spent his career in various places around the world. After retiring, he and Ginny moved to Aurora, Colorado where they could spend weekends in Gunnison, Colorado where his parents had built a cabin in the late 1950's. The most relaxing and enjoyable moments of his life were spent fly fishing in the streams in the hills surrounding Gunnison—or "God's Country" as he liked to call it. Don was a family-oriented man and enjoyed doing things with them such as special trips into the hills, going to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, showing them the Black Canyon near Gunnison and just generally being with them—perhaps playing card games or board games. Don was a gifted pianist and enjoyed playing. Don grew to love the classics and enjoyed relaxing and playing the piano for himself and his family.
Don was also a gifted "woods crafter". He learned this hobby from his father who was also quite gifted in woodworking. Don thoroughly enjoyed spending time in his shop (the garage) and, as he would say: "making sawdust".
Don was diagnosed with cancer in January 1981 and on September 13, 1981 his family was deeply saddened when he quietly slipped away.
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