Michael "Van" Vance Cochran

On October 2, 2023, Michael Vance Cochran, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. Van was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1950 – one of seven children. He credits the family he was born into as one of his greatest blessings and spoke often and fondly of the days of his youth spent in Smyrna with siblings and cousins.

Van’s life was changed when a coach went looking for young men to start a sports program at Pace Academy in Atlanta. For a young boy from a small town, a full scholarship to a private school was a dream come true. A star was born, as Van became an All-American athlete in four sports, still holding some records today. It was on the basketball court where he caught the eye and heart of a blonde cheerleader, Marilyn, who would become his soulmate for life. Van’s children still talk about the way he revered their mother.

His freshman year of college, Van played basketball at Georgia Tech while beginning his family. The following years finishing his undergraduate degree at Georgia State University were arduous, while Van worked full time and attended classes at night. Then Van earned an MBA in Finance. Van and Marilyn sacrificed in many ways during these years to lay a proper foundation for his future success in business. His children and grandchildren have always admired his very strong work ethic.

He launched his career by taking a position at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 1973. He quickly advanced to become an assistant controller, and he served as the bank’s manager of the United Way Campaign. With an eye to the future, Van seized an opportunity to move to North Carolina, where he began a long and successful career selling HVAC systems. Later, he started his own business in Greensboro, NC in 1989 as a manufacturer’s representative for Liebert Corporation. Twice he was awarded Liebert’s most prestigious award, the President’s Cup, recognizing top sales performance. Van counted his Liebert mentors and friends as among his greatest blessings. Van was known in his business life as being dedicated, honest, and humble.

Beyond these qualities, Van was most widely known by his colleagues, friends, and family as being devoted to his spiritual life. Having both been raised in Christian homes, Van and Marilyn studied and lived a scripture-driven life. They served the church diligently and cherished the friendships they formed. Van taught several Bible studies and served in various leadership roles in the church. He instilled this deep-rooted faith in his daughters and grandchildren. In his last years, Van wrote, “I am undeserving but eternally grateful for God’s grace in my life.”

In addition to his accomplishments, Van lived a full life appreciating the simple pleasures like playing golf, dancing in the kitchen with Marilyn to their favorite songs, holding sleeping babies, looking for shells on the beach with his grandchildren, cooking whatever Ina Garten told him to, sharing his colored pencil drawings, and enjoying the beauty of the mountains overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway. And no matter where he was he made people laugh.

To the very end, Van was overwhelmed with gratitude at God’s goodness and grace in his life. He will be sorely missed by all who were blessed beyond measure to know him.

Van is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn; his daughters, Kelly Swanson (Bill), Christy Dunn (Jeff), and Rebecca Sharpe (Ryan); his grandchildren, Justin Vance Dunn, Allie Vance Saffioti, William Claiborne Swanson, Jr., Jack Allen Sharpe, and Vance Browning Sharpe.

A Celebration of Van’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Sedgefield reception hall.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com.