Urcell Gene Cochran, 80, Moran, passed away Friday, July 14, 2017, at Allen County Regional Hospital.
Gene was born July 27, 1936, in Viola, Ark., to James Harold and Bircha Mae (Dawson) Cochran as the second of six children. He graduated from Salem High School in 1954. He then moved to Kansas City to play baseball for the Kansas City A’s minor league team. He married Luella Houk on Jan. 29, 1956, in Viola. They were blessed with three children. Lou preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 1996. After finishing his baseball career, he returned to Kansas City to work for General Motors. In 1973, he moved with his family to Moran, where he jointly purchased the Moran Lumber Yard. Later he was self-employed as a brick mason. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and reading. He had a great passion for baseball, especially watching the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gene is survived by his three daughters, Genette McVey and husband, Chris, Coffeyville, Annette Cole and husband Chris, Moran, and Lori Amble and husband Gary, of Shawnee; seven grandchildren, Christal, Aaron, Shal-awnda, Cassidy, Kirsten, Scottie and Tyler and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Don and Betty Cochran, Barbara Poulson, Mickey and Peggy Cochran, Ray Bob and Shana Cochran and Joan Cochran, in-laws, Marilyn and Bill May, Nancy and Wayne Chandler and Ruth and Dave Spangler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lou, his parents, a brother, Wes Cochran, brother-in-law Scottie Poulson, and in-laws Mary Ellen and Joe Chalker.
Gene’s family would like to express sincere gratitude to Melissa Andres and Tammy Snyder for their diligent care for him during his last days on earth.
Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 8 at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Moran. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Moran Christian Church in Moran. Burial will follow at Moran Cemetery. Contributions in his memory are suggested to the Moran Public Library for its new building fund. Condolences for the family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Urcell Cochran
