John K. Cochran

March 7, 1963 – October 2, 2023

John “Johnny C.” Kevin Cochran passed away on October 2, 2023, at his home in Frederick, Maryland from complications of Myotonic Dystrophy.

John was born March 7, 1963, in Stillwater, Oklahoma and, at age one, moved with his family to Fort Washington, MD. He attended St. Ignatius Catholic School, Lord Baltimore Jr. High, and Friendly Sr. High before leaving home for Shepherdstown, West Virginia to attend college.

John was extremely active in his youth – and unrelentingly mischievous. When his mother spotted him approaching, she would often lament, but with quiet pride in her youngest child, “Here comes trouble”. And that became his nickname -- Trouble. He enthusiastically participated in Cub Scouts and baseball, where, as center fielder, he once was responsible for all three outs in one inning, including a throw to second base to double-up the runner. He was superbly committed and reverent as an altar server at Mass.

Johnny C was a part of almost everything at Shepherd College – now Shepherd University. He was an Orientation Assistant and worked on the Program Board, organizing student events, and emceeing many of them. He was a member of the popular XEN non-fraternity and was made an honorary member of KTE sorority. College friends describe John as “our George Bailey” because he touched so many lives.

John earned his undergraduate degree in Business in December 1985 and moved back to Maryland, settling in Gaithersburg. He worked at First American Bank and First Union Bank in Washington, D.C., then accepted a role as a technical writer for National Electronics Warranty (NEW) in Sterling, Virginia. When his physical strength began to decline, John decided to pivot careers and returned to school for certification in computer-assisted design. He worked as an AutoCAD Draftsman for First American Millwork in Gaithersburg until 2018. Later that year he moved to Frederick, Maryland and created another circle of friends who were happy to know him and then to help care for him.

John had many interests, evidenced by his rarely missing an episode of Jeopardy! But he fended off suggestions to audition for the show, cleverly claiming a lack of knowledge of Greek mythology. Perhaps surprising to those who met him recently, John retired from driving only five years ago. Until then, he courageously maneuvered his ancient Oldsmobile around Montgomery County and quite artfully backed it into and out of tight parking spaces.

John was smart and generous. He shared his wisdom, wrapped in a mercilessly dry, always understated sense of humor, with everyone. These were his super-powers. With these gifts, he formed meaningful, life-long relationships. So many people loved John. Friends he made at St. Ignatius still kept in touch with him. Relationships he built in high school and college stayed strong until the day he passed. While at Shepherd, he met his friends-for-life, Gary and Lynn Najaka. He and his pen pal in Thailand, Kanie Waan, traded family news and exchanged gifts for more than three decades. More than fifty friends and family members looked forward to his annual Christmas letter, which was never about himself, but rather brought a brilliantly composed allegory of peace and serenity.

John was preceded in death by his parents George and Alice Cochran, sisters Mary (Karl Sr) Hovey and Teresa Cochran, nephew Patrick Jordan, and by his godparents--his Uncle Hudson and Aunt Margaret Kiethley.

He is survived by his brothers James and Michael (Julie); his sister Ann Jordan (Bret); nephews Karl Hovey Jr (Nancy), Stephen Hovey, Brian Jordan (Lauri), Joseph Cochran (Eiko), Michael Cochran; nieces Kathryn Hovey, Sarah Jordan-Crowe (Colin) and Maryann Cochran; and six great-nieces and great-nephews. John is also survived by his Aunt Judy Shaker (Sam), most of his 36 first cousins, and many profound friends.

John’s family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to his confidant and caretaker Rebecca, his trusted friend and personal caregiver Deborah, and his highly professional nurse practitioner Sarah for their dedication to John’s health and well-being.

Family and friends may call at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. True to form, John requested that mourners wear colorful clothes.

We know that John would have said, with a perfectly straight face, “In lieu of donations to a charity, send flowers.” His family, on the other hand, notes that there are many worthwhile charities dedicated to the care and treatment of each of us, at every stage of life, from conception to natural death. If you would like to contribute to the organization most directly involved with myotonic dystrophy, we would humbly appreciate your modest donation in the name of John Cochran to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation at www.myotonic.org.”