Ira Berdean Cochran

Ira Berdean Cochran, 92, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Home in Loveland, Colorado. He is survived by a sister, Iola McMorrow of Centerville, Iowa; a son James Cochran (Beta) of McCloud, Oklahoma; daughter Cheryl Henry of Loveland, Colorado; and a son, David Cochran (Mary) of Thornton, Colorado; nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Born on June 17, 1924 in Mark, Iowa, Ira was the son of Harley and Arminta Cochran of Cincinnati, Iowa. After graduating from Cincinnati High School in 1942, he attended Ozark Bible College in Bentonville, Arkansas where he met his wife, Lillian McKinney. They were married in 1943 at Ozark Bible College. Ira and Lillian then left Ozark Bible College and went to San Jose College in California where Ira and Lillian graduated in 1947 with Bachelor of Theology degrees.

His ministry began in 1944 in Thayer, Kansas. He served many churches throughout his life including Wyaconda, Missouri; Mishawaka, Indiana; Montezuma, Iowa; Cozad, Nebraska; Sidney, Nebraska; New Point, Missouri; and his final church in Trenton, Missouri. He concluded his ministry in 2002 at the age of 78.

Ira’s passion in life was telling others about Christ and the plan of salvation. After his retirement, he continued to teach and tell people about Christ in Loveland, Colorado which became Ira and Lillian’s retirement home.

He was an avid sports fan and loved playing softball. If the Cleveland Indians were playing baseball, Ira had his ear glued to the radio. Two of his favorite players were Rocky Colivito and Bob Feller. He was so proud that Bob Feller came from Iowa and became a Hall of Famer. If Rocky hit a home run, he would shout out, ROCKO COLIVITO!!! Ira was also a very avid gardener. He totally enjoyed big gardens and grew just about everything you could grow in a garden.

Ira was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lillian Cochran; parents, brothers Victor (Vi) and Ivan (Darlene); a sister Ilin (Doris); and son-in-law Dale Henry.

The family would like to especially thank all the wonderful people at The Courtyard and Good Samaritan for the loving care they gave to Ira over the past several years.