Terry Gene Cochran

Terry, aka TC, Dad, Grandpa, Bompa, Hairy Terry, died on June 11, 2025, at Tidewell Hospice House, Venice, Florida. He was born in Bethel, Minnesota on January 19, 1950 to Ila Mae Grace Hendricks and Everett Warren Cochran.

He grew up in Isanti, Minnesota and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1968. He attended Alexandria Technical Vocational Institute in Alexandria, Minnesota, graduating in 1970 and ready to begin his law enforcement career. After 34 years with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Department, he retired as a detective supervisor in 2004.

While in Minnesota, in addition to working and sitting on boards and committees, Terry spent time camping, hunting, fishing, bowling, playing poker, playing 500, working at the Freeborn County Fair, providing a safe haven for foster children, housing MFT actors, working with Meals on the Go, traveling to #10 in Englewood, Florida, providing security for the Tampa Bay Rays, and always ready to help a friend. Wherever he lived he had the best neighbors!

The last five years living in Englewood, Florida, Terry was happy….there was no snow!! He loved our neighborhood; calls, Facetimes, and visits with the kids and grands; visiting with friends; watching the birds; listening to local musicians at Wednesdays@5; going to Memory Café; playing cards and dominos; hanging out with the BLAST kids; greeting church family at Kastner Hall; and enjoying life as much as he could as his dementia progressed. Following the hurricanes, we met new friends at Golden Tee Condominiums. Terry loved watching the birds in the backyard, playing bingo, and the gatherings at the clubhouse. We are forever grateful Terry remained at home, except for one overnight in the hospital and one overnight in the peaceful setting at Tidewell Hospice House.

Terry is survived by his wife Laurie; daughter Amber Cochran (Hosea) Tristan and Brielle; son Neal Cochran (Jenni); and daughter Megan Cochran (Alex) Clarus; brother Bruce Cochran, brother Brent Cochran, blood brother Darryl Jackson (Jann), adventure buddies Steve and Jody Bowron and Buzz and Janette Strickland; special care partners Jeff and Vicky; and many relatives and friends.

A memorial service, interment, and luncheon will be held on June 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Community Presbyterian Church, 405 S. McCall Road, Englewood, FL 34223

A celebration of life open house will be held on July 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Willow Room, Oak Marsh, 526 Inwood Ave. N., Oakdale, MN 55128

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: TidewellFoundation.org; alz.org; Community Presbyterian Church – BLAST program, or an organization of your choosing.