Gilbert Leon Cochran

Born February 22, 1934 in Lovington, IL he attended the University of Illinois and graduated from Eastern Illinois State University in 1956 with a B.S. in Education.

Leon served in the US Army stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. After his discharge from the army he began a successful career with General Electric. Hired by the Audio Products department in 1960 in Decatur, IL, Leon was promoted and relocated to Bridgeport, CT to work in the Housewares division and then promoted and relocated to become a Manager of Market Administration for the Advanced Products Operation in Schenectady, NY. He was selected to promote in print and media General Electric’s electric lawn mower “Elec-Trak”. He was called back to GE in 1981 to become a Facilities Manager for the I &SE Department completing a 16 year career.

Entrepreneurial at heart with an affable personality, Leon became a licensed real estate broker. He will be remembered as a consummate professional who in addition to his real estate and financial acumen was gracious and trustworthy. He worked diligently and successfully as a commercial and residential sales agent both in NY and in New Bern, NC. His warm and generous personality and deep commitment to community resulted in Leon and his wife, Jeanette, becoming beloved members of the New Bern community.

Known also for his steadfastness, his 59-year marriage to Jeanette was a strong one, born of love, commitment, and the quiet energy he used to provide for his family. In addition to his wife, Leon is survived by his children, Peggy Traester of Broadalbin, NY and Julie and her husband Stephen Grevious, of Westport, CT. Survivors also include grandchildren, Grant, Whelan and Byron and two great-grandchildren, Carter and Grayson. Leon was the beloved brother of six brothers and six sisters and is survived by his sister Helen Moynihan of Indiana. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their children.

Leon was always an active church member wherever they lived. He was appointed as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in NJ, and served on the missions committee and boards at Burnt Hills Baptist Church in NY and later at Centenary United Methodist Church in New Bern, NC, for a term as President of the Men’s Fellowship and on numerous boards and committees. He particularly enjoyed working with the children in Centenary’s After-School Program set up to support at risk and refugee children from the surrounding community.

Visitation will be in the Chapel at 1:30 pm followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary on January 27, 2016. Burial will be in Sullivan, IL on Saturday, January 30th, 2016. Contributions on Leon’s behalf can be made to the After- School Program through the on-line giving portal at www.CentenaryChurch.com and will be greatly appreciated.

He will be sorely missed by his family, the community and all his friends who were near and dear to him in so many ways. God Bless Leon and now he will rest in peace and our memory of this wonderful husband, father and friend will remain in our hearts and minds forever.