Rex Allen Cochran

Rex was born on July 3, 1937, in Gould, Oklahoma, to Clyde and Vivian Cochran. He loved to say, "Mother wanted a firecracker. Well, she got one, but it came with a very short fuse - and that's why I was early."

For Rex's sixth birthday, he received the gift of learning to drive a tractor so he could help with the wheat harvest. He was excited because it offered a welcome reprieve from picking cotton. While working in the cotton fields, he would pray that some livestock would get loose so he could drop his cotton sack and go play cowboy.

Throughout his life, Rex held many jobs and carried many responsibilities, but he was most proud of his work as a soil scientist for the USDA. He worked nearly every day of his life until retiring to care for his beloved wife, Claudia, as she lived with Alzheimer's disease.

Rex enjoyed cowboying, spending time in nature, playing practical jokes, visiting family and friends, playing cards and dominoes, eating ice cream, and sharing his love for Jesus. He was a proud member of the Escapees RV Club and the Old Farts Club of Houston, Texas, whose members met at Denny's every morning. He lived a full life of traveling and witnessing, and he will always be remembered for his practical jokes. Just ask the girl who found a large lizard in the girls' restroom when Rex was in the sixth grade.

Rex was the oldest of four siblings, followed by beautiful Ann (Jim), and then rounding out the family was double trouble with Larry (Rita) and Harry (Linda).

He was married to the love of his life, Claudia Cochran, for 63 years and one day. Together, they had four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Jerry, married to Erin, and their child, Zekariah; Ross, married to Chris, and their children, Ashley, Vanessa, and Collin; Janette and her children, Jeremy and Noah; and Freida, married to Stephen, and their child, Travis, who loved Amanda, and their child, John Michael.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, at Johnson Funeral Home, where light appetizers will be served. His going-home ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, at Bethel Baptist Church. Rex will be laid to rest at Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake, Texas.

The family would like to thank the loving and compassionate staff at Reagan County Care Center for their dedication to ensuring that Rex lived his final days with dignity and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you spend time with your loved ones, take a walk in nature, play games, and enjoy one another's company.

"I'm not in trouble, but I'm always starting it."