Larry Bennett Cochran

Twice daily milkings, constant chores of cleaning and feeding and sanitizing teaches even the youngest helper about the responsibility of keeping things alive and healthy and the satisfaction of a job well-done. Larry Bennett Cochran achieved the pinnacle of his profession and traveled the world, but he never forgot his roots and the lessons learned on the farm. He was a country boy at heart and very fond of Waylon and Willie and the boys.

Born and raised in Newton, Mississippi, Larry was well-known for his athleticism, lettering in every sport offered by his high school. It was at a varsity basketball game in the neighboring town of Conehatta that Larry met the love of his life, Patricia Anne Crane in 1956. He was equally struck by Miss Patricia’s beauty and her hook shot. Larry was two years ahead of Pat in school, and he matriculated in 1958 at Mississippi State on a co-op with the Highway Department. He followed Pat to Texas as soon as she graduated, and Larry and Pat were married on March 5th, 1961. While securing his Texas residency, and with every intention of returning to college to finish his degree, Larry was hired as a temporary draftsman for a start-up company – Six Flags Over Texas – and the rest, as they say is history.

Larry Cochran spent his entire 42-year career as a Six Flags’ employee, climbing from ride operator to CEO. He helped open Six Flags Over Texas in 1962 and was transferred to Atlanta in 1967 to put the finishing touches on Six Flags Over Georgia. But before their moving van ever arrived in Atlanta, Larry and Pat were sent to Eureka, Missouri to help build Six Flags Over Mid-America from the ground up. The Cochrans did stints in New Jersey, California, Chicago, and Dallas … all for the love of the Six Flags family.

There is no doubt how much Larry Cochran loved Pat and Six Flags, but the love he had for his 3 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and their spouses, and 2 great-granddaughters is legendary. He was our protector, provider, confidant, and mentor. He expected the very best from us all, and we were all happy and honored to oblige. He was honest and open with his opinions and never backed down from any heated discussion. He taught us to love the outdoors and was a master critter hunter. We will miss him standing in the gulf with his hands on his hips surveying the water. He took great pride in all our accomplishments and was especially proud of his 13 Baylor Bears (and counting).

Larry was a huge personality with a booming voice and a heart overflowing with love and generosity. He never met a stranger and was famous for his acerbic wit and one-liners, often referred to as “Cochranisms.” Big LC was an incredibly strong man and led his family and his companies with a moral code and work ethic like none other. He was larger than life and a gentle giant all in one. He modeled for us the love of Jesus, the importance of family and the responsibility of giving. He was also the very best gift-giver! Thank you Papa for gifting Bunny the beach house for your 50th wedding anniversary. It is our family Happy Place and chock full of memories of you. We are all better for knowing Larry and are confident that we will see him again and share eternity together. Thanks for waiting for us at the Front Gate!

Celebrating Larry’s arrival in heaven are his parents, Ona Cannon and Ray Franklin Cochran, 2 brothers, 4 sisters and their respective spouses, as well as 3 Crane sisters-in-law and 4 brothers-in-law.

His living legacies include his wife of 61 years, Patricia Anne Cochran; three children and their spouses, Scott Patrick and Kimberly Cochran Hammond; Ronald Carl and Angelia Cochran Steffey, and L. Matthew and Shelley Wilson Cochran. Adored grandchildren and their spouses, Robert Emmett and Molly Hammond Howard IV; Daniel Lee and Haley Hammond Avant; Tobyn Patrick and Abbey Allen Steffey; Sophie Grace Steffey; Avery Rose Hammond; Ellie Grace Hammond; Cale Bennett Cochran; Cooper Wilson Cochran; and Canon Patrick Cochran. Overly adored great-granddaughters Sloan Morgan Howard and Emmett Rose Howard.

All are welcome to attend the Visitation on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 5 - 7 pm, at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home and the Funeral service on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 11:00 am, at First Baptist Church, Marble Falls.

Our earnest prayer is that a timely cure is found for Parkinson’s disease. Remembrances can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) in honor of Larry Bennett Cochran.