Dennis Lee Cochran

Dennis was born in a tent house along a railroad siding in Mikkalo, Oregon where his father, Ned Cochran was employed as a Gandy dancer and mother Cora Blanche (Magee) Cochran was raising older sisters Barbara and Nancy.

The family moved to Thurston County in January 1939, where Dennis attended the 2nd grade at Michael T. Simmons Grade School in Tumwater. Dennis attended high school at William Winlock Miller when the school was located on Capitol Blvd. He graduated with the Class of ’49. The next four years Dennis was in the Navy where he served with the Minesweepers off the east coast of North Korea. After he was discharged from the Navy, Dennis worked for Boeing.

Dennis graduated from St. Martin’s College with the degree in Civil Engineering in 1959 and went to work for the City of Tacoma. There, he met and married Eileen Schultz in 1961. Eileen preceded him in death. He is survived by their children Theresa (Kevin), Timothy, Tina (Donnie); and five grandchildren. No services are planned according to his wishes. A memorial will be planned for family and friends at a later date.

“Please do not weep for me when I am gone. Instead, gently mourn my passing and remember me fondly, if you can. Celebrate the time we shared together and be content with what we had.”

Please recall that while I was not religious, I always believed in the existence of a Creator. I believe this universe had to have begun with direction from some source. Call this source God or whatever you will, but accept this as a fact.