Jack Perry Cochran, Jr., 82, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, June 10, 2024. Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on September 16, 1941, he was the only child of Jack Perry Cochran, Sr. and Violet Mae (Buchholz) Cochran.
Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife, Connie Eileen (Hummel) Cochran, with whom he shared a life full of love and companionship. They exchanged vows in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on June 9, 1966, and together raised four children: Michelle (Shelly) Cochran-Seward (Wyatt Seward), Jacqueline (Jackie) Cochran, John Cochran, and Michael (Mike) Cochran (Chrissy Ashenbrener). Jack was deeply devoted to his seven grandchildren: Willow Seward-Brown (Warren Brown), Brian Cochran, Bradly Cochran, Kolton Cochran, Brooklyn Cochran, Rylee Cochran, and Blake Cochran.
Raised in Council Bluffs, Jack graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1959. Following his graduation, he bravely served his country in the United States Army from July 13, 1960, to July 16, 1963, achieving Top Secret Crypto Clearance with the Army Security Agency and serving as a morse code intercept operator.
Jack's commitment to service continued as he served as an Engineer for the Council Bluffs Fire Department from July 1, 1964, to March 3, 1971. Relocating to Greeley, Colorado, in April 1971, he joined the Fire Department for Eastman Kodak, Windsor, Colorado, and furthered his education at Aims Community College, earning an A.A. degree in Fire Science in the fall of 1972.
Advancing his career with Eastman Kodak Fire Department, Jack became the head of the Fire Safety Department until December 1979. Transitioning to a new career path, he became a successful Real Estate Agent with Wheeler Realty, Greeley, Colorado, before joining the Land Development Department at Vintage Corporation, where he retired on March 30, 2007.
In 2008, Jack relocated to Mesa, AZ, enjoying the warm weather and closer proximity to his family and grandchildren. Retirement didn't slow him down; from 2010 to 2020, he worked for Thesman Communities, showcasing his sales skills and enjoying the camaraderie of colleagues.
Jack's passion for aviation and his unwavering commitment to caring for others defined him. He will be remembered as a man who was always there, 24/7/365, ready to lend a helping hand. His legacy of love, dedication, and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A celebration of Jack's life will be held at Las Palmas Grand - Ballroom, 2550 S Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85209 on July 7, 2024, at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bee Happy Bee Kind Foundation. https://www.beehappybeekind.org
May he rest in eternal peace.
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