Forrest Junior Cochran

Funeral services for Forrest Junior Cochran, age 81, of Gering, NE, who died May 18, 2012, at home with his family, will be held May 23, 2012, at 1:30 pm at Dugan Kramer Funeral home in Scottsbluff, with Owen Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Minatare. Friends may visit at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel Tuesday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Forrest was born July 14, 1930, at Adams County, Iowa to Forrest Stanley and Cora Ann (Crabill) Cochran. He received his early education in Iowa. He moved with his family to Melbeta, NE in 1943, at age 13. He farmed with his father until he was drafted into the Army in Sept, 1951. He was stationed in Fort Ord, CA, until he was deployed to Korea. He served as a cook’s aid on the ship to Korea, fought on the front lines until he contracted Rheumatic Fever, spent 2 months in the hospital in Osaka, Japan and then spent 3 months at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, Co. He was honorably discharged in Sept. 1952 and spent the next year recuperating in Mesa, Arizona. He married Margy Nealy on March 25, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Gering, Ne, and had three children. He farmed from 1954 to 2001 on the family farm surrounding Cochran Lake. He loved the early mornings and always said that was the best time of the day. He especially enjoyed the wildlife at the lake. His passion was farming and ranching. He enjoyed raising cows and calves, and was featured in the Business Farmer for his operation. He retired from farming in 2001. He was active in 4-H as a leader and fair board member and served on the extension board for many years. He was an avid supporter in his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids activities whether it was sports, 4-H, or school activities. He loved playing cards, cribbage, and gambling and spent many hours of his retirement enjoying these games. He never knew a stranger, and loved to visit with anyone. When he moved to Gering in 2002 his interests also included gardening, and bird watching, as well as continuing to help his son and grandsons on the family farm. Survivors include his wife, Margy of Gering; sons, Bob (Tamara) of Pine Bluffs, and Jack (Debbie) of Banner County; daughter, Susan (Mark) Gies of Gering; 8 grandchildren, Chet (Julie),Travis (Erika), Shane(Amanda), Joy, and Casey Cochran, Josh(Raylene), Lacie, & Brody Gies, Bethany McCall; 8 great- grandchildren: Hallie & Conner (Chet), Jaden & Kylie (Casey), Jacey & Kippen (Shane) Cochran, Dyllan (Brody) & Rubie (Josh) Gies; sisters, Rowena Labertew of Melbeta, Lois Meier of Gering, and Joann Corr of Scottsbluff; brother, Dean Cochran of Mitchell; 3 sister-in-laws; 4 brother-in-laws; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Jean; wife’s parents; 4 brother-in-laws; 3 sister-in-laws; 1 niece and 3 nephews. A memorial is established to the Farm and Ranch Museum.