The late Ken Cochran who passed away in 2021, at the age of one hundred one, left a memory that lives on, not only as aWWII survivor but for much more, touching everyone he met.
His son, Kenny, spoke proudly about his dad, the late Ken Cochran, who is was not only a retired Caddo Parish School Principal but was also the last surviving member of his World War II 98th Bomb Squadron.
As Ken’s friend, I began sending out his columns to newspapers, including the Shreveport Times and The Tennessean. The Nashville publication which led to Linda Lynn, Vice Regent for the Frances Rebecca Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to see the story while visiting in Nashville — even though she had missed it back home, which led to him being honored in Washington with a flag being flown over the United States Capitol.
This goose chase almost made me dizzy, showing how one step leads to another.
He was a Christian at the core and a licensed minister, serving as deacon, elder and missionary in Panama helping to build Churches there. In defining Ken, I had to say he went the distance not for praise, but because it was who he was.
Life long friend, Mac Hobbs, of Vivian, Louisiana said “the one person I would have liked to be like more than anyone else it is Ken Cochran.” Ken hunted with Mac and his father, Marvin Hobbs of Vivian all of their lives. Marvin invented one of the first duck calls.
Not only was he a prolific author he had more energy and passion for living than anyone I have known. In addition to being an avid hunter, he killed a deer in his hundredth year. He became known as a poet, author, newspaper columnist and photographer, yet he was perhaps the most humble person I have ever known.
Having retired as a Caddo Parish principal of more than 30 years, he quipped about having failed first grade. When he returned from the war, he was offered a job as pilot with Delta Air Lines, but declined it because he wanted to get back home “to the wagon yard” and become reacquainted with Kay, whom he was happily married to for 42 years.
Also, his memory was phenomenal. He might have
thought that this is over the top, but I want
to give accolades while I can even after he is gone. We must seize the moment because, as he would have said “life is made up of interruptions.”
One person can make a difference. For this knowledge I am grateful, because I know Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and Ken would have added that, “He always gets him to the right place at the right time.”
Contact Sarah at sarahp@aol.com