Kenneth Vaughn Cochran

Ken graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1967. After graduating High School, he enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy, he served in Vietnam as a radioman. After returning home, he worked as a security guard at Good Samaritan hospital where he met the love of his life Charlene (Schmidlin). They dated for a while, and Ken became an Oregon State Police Officer. The two of them were married on June 23, 1972 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in North Plains, OR. Ken and Charlene had two wonderful daughters in the following years (Tanya in 1973 and Denise in 1977). Ken worked as a Land Surveyor until he retired in 2016. He was the president on the Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon in 1995.

Ken enjoyed working with wood, working on the in-laws dairy farm, and traveling. Charlene and Ken went on many trips throughout their 49 years. Some of their favorites were cruising to Alaska, cruising the Caribbean, and going to Scotland. Ken loved roses, trains, lighthouses, and going to the beach. He loved to help his grandsons, Cameron and Tyler, out with their Scout projects such as pinewood derby cars, building birdhouses, and Cameron’s Eagle Scout project. He was very proud of them both. He would be sure to attend all school award ceremonies and grandparent’s day.

Ken was a proud member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was initiated into Lents Lodge on September 22, 1975; passed on November 3, 1975, and was raised as a Master Mason on December 1, 1975. He was Master of his lodge in 1982. He was also a proud member of the Scottish Rite and Al Kader Shrine.

Ken was also a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was initiated into Mt. Scott Chapter on January 5, 1978. When Tanya and Denise were old enough, they joined the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. This brought Ken many, many more adopted daughters. He was State Rainbow Dad for Melissa (Kruggel) Barnes’ Grand Worthy Advisor year (1997-98). He was always so proud of his “girls” both biological and adopted.

As a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ken was a Worthy Patron many times. In 2013, Karen Beebe asked Ken to be her Worthy Grand Patron. Ken was installed as Worthy Grand Patron on June 24, 2015. He served the Order of the Eastern Star with pride. On November 4, 2021, Ken started his appointment as a General Grand Committee Member on the Regenerative Medicine committee.

Ken had an amazing heart. He was always available to listen to any of his friends or family. He would share advice that would help in the situation. He would reach out when any of his friends or family might be feeling anxious over current events or just needed some cheering up. His legacy will live on in all who met him.

Ken is preceded in death by his father, Vaughn Weston Cochran and his son-in-law, Johnscott “Scotty” Cochran.

Ken is survived by his wife, Charlene Cochran, his daughters Tanya Cochran and Denise Lewis (Brad), his grandsons Cameron and Tyler Lewis, mother Frances Cochran, brother Gary (Leslie), sister-in-law Judy Marsh (George), brothers-in-law Larry Schmidlin and Donald Schmidlin (Linnea), many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.