Edward Lull Cochrane Jr.

Captain Edward Lull “Ted” Cochrane, Jr., USN (Ret.), has passed away at 102 years. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on 17 July 1922 and died in Fairfax, VA on 19 December 2024. He had lived in the DC area off and on since 1924.

Ted was a graduate of St. Albans School in Washington DC, Class of 1941, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1945, a year earlier in 1944 due to the needs of the Navy during World War II. Upon graduating from the Academy, he went to the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard where he received a degree in naval supply and disbursing. As a Supply Officer, he accepted his first assignment to the Naval Supply Depot, Guam.

In 1947, Ted transferred to the Navy Line initially serving as an Electrical Officer on the USS Oregon City (CA-122) and a Fire Control Officer on the USS Worcester (CL-144). His other sea duties included commanding five destroyer types: USS O'Bannon (DDE-450) in 1955, USS Ernest Evans (DE-1023) in 1959, USS Philip (DD-498) in 1960, USS King (DLG-10) in 1963 and USS Josephus Daniels (DLG-27) in 1967. His shore duties included Engineering Instructor, NROTC, at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago; Staff Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Battleship Division Two for whom he served as an official interpreter of French in the Mediterranean area between 1953 and 1955; three tours in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the last one being as Captain Detailer (surface and subs); a tour at the Pentagon in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Deputy OP 61; and his final assignment as the U.S. Navy’s Liaison Officer in the State Department.

During his naval career he attended the US Naval War College in Newport, RI and received a Master's Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University while attending the National War College in Washington, DC. Ted proudly served in World War II and in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts retiring in 1974 at the rank of captain after 30 years of service.

On 15 April 1950, Ted married Doris Marie “Dorie” Armor of Havertown, PA who was also serving in the U.S. Navy as a Wave officer at the time of their marriage. After retirement, Ted devoted much of his time to civic duties and to his primary avocation which was sailing his 37-foot Irwin Centre Cockpit sailboat, the “Aldebaran,” with Dorie all up and down the east coast from Maine to the Bahamas. If he wasn’t sailing, you could find Ted in his basement workshop fulfilling Dorie’s honey-do list. During their 65 years of marriage, they made annual trips to Europe incorporating his other hobby, photography.

Aptly described in his high school yearbook as having “The truest Christian character of the class, Ted possesses an attractive personality and a good sense of humor. His mind is nautically inclined – he likes anything connected with the sea, such as astronomy, sailing, and, most important, Annapolis.” He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati (New Hampshire), the Clan Cochrane of North America, the U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association, and the USS Worcester Association to name a few. He served on the Alumni Board of his alma mater, St. Albans School and was a past president of Monhegan Associates, Inc., an island land trust for five years. He loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and was worshiping at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA up until the final months before he passed. He staunchly supported many charities that improved the lives of veterans and the police force.

Ted Cochrane was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Dorie; his father, VADM Edward Lull Cochrane USNA Class of 1914 and mother, Charlotte Wilson Cochrane; his brother, Capt. Richard Lull Cochrane USNA Class of 1940 and sister-in-law, Ellen McCallie Cochrane.

Ted is survived by his daughter, Doris Cochrane Boyd and son-in-law, Andrew Boyd; one granddaughter, Heather Boyd Heitzer and her husband, David Andrew Heitzer; and one great-grandchild, Henry Paul Heitzer.

There will be a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday April 2nd 2025 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, request that donations be made to the benefit of military veterans. Arrangements are by Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA.