Elmer E. Cochran Jr.

Elmer Edward Cochran, Jr passed from this life and was received by his Lord on October 26, 2021. He was born August 16, 1936, to Elmer Edward Cochran, Sr. and Lena Marie (Roberts) Cochran in Ada, Oklahoma. Elmer, Jr, or “Junior” was the second of four children, Dana, Elmer Jr, Allan, and Helen. He loved his siblings in their childhood, and remained so throughout life. They grew up on their rural 80 acre farm outside of Ada (Union Hill), working hard with chores, adventures with siblings, and more. Elmer Jr enjoyed sports as a child, particularly basketball and baseball, in high school (Latta High School), and continued this love as a participant and a spectator through his 85 years.

He began college, earning a bachelors degree in Math at East Central State University in Ada. The highlight of his college years was meeting the love of his life, Wanda Lanell Fanning, from Clarita, Oklahoma. After college, he served his country with the US Air Force, and during that period he and Wanda married. They then moved to the Del City/Oklahoma City area where Elmer began employment with Tinker AFB (Midwest City) as a cost analyst, and served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard Reserves. In the next years, Elmer and Wanda were blessed with three children, Randy, Gary and DeLinda. He was profoundly proud and devoted to his wife and family. They moved for a short time to Auburn, Alabama where Elmer earned an MBA at Auburn University, and simultaneously studied at the Air Command Staff College in Auburn, furthering his career in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, eventually serving as Lieutenant Colonel and Base Commander.

They returned to Del City, resuming his career while Wanda wonderfully took care of their home and children. Elmer began attending the Del City Church of Christ more regularly with Wanda and their children, he was eventually baptized into Jesus Christ, and continued a deep devotion to the Lord, serving as a deacon, and then an elder for 30 years. Elmer has been fully committed to Jesus Christ and then to his family. He has had a life-long love of sports and activity, playing baseball, basketball, fishing, exercising, and more. He particularly enjoyed introducing sports and coaching his children and grandchildren, loving and living life fully with them!

He and Wanda have always considered as a highlight of their lives, taking their grandchildren on “Cousins’ Trips”, enjoying time with each of them! Elmer and Wanda have been enthusiastic spectators of all things Sooner sports, and OKC Thunder basketball. Golfing with friends has been a passion of his for many years! Always a competitor, he continued to “work on his game” even in these final months. He has been a life-long-learner, seeking to grow and improve in all of his activities, and encouraging others to do the same! He has loved serving, traveling, playing, laughing, visiting, learning, and loving people! He has loved anything that involves serving his Lord Jesus, spending time with his family, and especially with, as he would always say, “my sweet wife”. Throughout his life he has been a model of Christ-like, servant leadership for his family and others. He now has paved the way to lead them home. Elmer is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Cochran and Lena Cochran; grandson, and Drew Cochran.

He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Wanda; son Randall Lynn Cochran; son Gary Edward Cochran; and daughter DeLinda Gay (Cochran) Cole; grandchildren; Cearra Johnson and husband, John Johnson; Cevana Cole; Alexandra “Alex” Doss and husband, Korey; Emily Cochran; great grandchildren, Carrington Johnson; and Caliana Johnson. And many beloved family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Del City Church of Christ, Missions, 1901 Vickie Drive, Del City, OK 73115. Visitation will be Monday, November 1, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK, 73115. A “Celebration of Life” Service will be Tuesday, November 2, at 10:00 am at the Del City Church of Christ, 1901 Vickie Drive, Del City, OK 73115. Burial will be Tuesday, November 2, at 2:00 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, 12481 State Highway 19, Ada, OK 74820.