While I realize baseball was obviously his passion I want to offer up what a magnificent literature teacher he was.  He certainly did not live the stereotype of the coach just phoning it in. His attention to detail. His take on Faulkner. His commitment to making sure we saw “Street Car Named Desire” live in Atlanta. I am indebted to all of these. His wife was my first grade teacher and taught us all how to sing, “Take me out to the ball game.” So what do I do? Well, I am entering my 33rd year of teaching and thankful that I started and ended my formative education with the Cochrans! It’s a lot to live up to. 

Harvey, you truly were a LEGEND within the game of Baseball! You always took time to speak to me when our paths crossed and I can't tell you how much that meant to me, especially when I finally got my first head coaching job. You were encouraging and willing to share about your experiences in baseball with all those that came around you. 
You will truly be missed!

Harvey was a man of character and integrity! From the time I first met him over 30 years ago I never knew him not to be a genuine man in how he cared for his fellow coaches around this state! He cared about us and the game of baseball tremendously! It was one of the highlights each year at the GDC to see Harvey, say hello and always receive a firm handshake and encouraging smile!! Harvey I know you are in a place now where all around you are smiles as big as yours! I, among many others, will miss you! To the family I offer my sincere condolences for your loss! God bless you all!!

On behalf of the entire Atlanta MABL , I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Cochran family .  Without the support of Harvey and coach English in the early days of adult baseball, the league may not have grown into the league that it is today.  We thank you Harvey and we will never forget what you done for us.

Coach Cochran and Family,
You were our sons teacher, baseball coach and Mentor.  With your guidance, you helped to instill in us that dedication and perseverance could accomplish anything.  For this, our family will be eternally grateful.  We will miss your exuberance, forthrightness, and sweet friendship.  Our personal time we spent with you and Linda, both on and off the baseball field, will be treasured memories until we see you again.  When that time comes, we'll probably see you playing (and instructing) on Heaven's Fields.  May Our Lord Bless and Keep your Dear Family at this Time.  
The L. Terry Howell Family

Harvey, you were such a highly regarded and respected man.  Thank you for always making time to mentor and advise young coaches.  We are an extension of your passion for raising up young people and furthering the great game of baseball.  Along with your immediate family and the players you coached, we are all part of your legacy. 

I was Coaching a GDC All Star Game.  Young Coach.  It was hot!  After the  first day  I wore shorts..  Young Coach thought I new everything.  Harvey let me have it..  It was great.  For the next 15 years at the Georgia Dugout Club meetings Harvey and I would laugh about it each year.  Great Person, Great Coach.  Truly left a impact on my life.

My experiences with Coach Cochran span from years as a high school player in GA to today, a current head coach.  His concern and support for me and all those involved in GHSA baseball were second to none. To his loved ones I offer my sincerest condolences and heartfelt gratitude for a life spent serving others through the game of baseball. Godspeed, Coach!

Coach Cochran was always one of my favorites at North Cobb.  I was a batgirl for the baseball team, and he always insisted that the three batgirls ride in his car to games. He was very protective of us.  I remember his car had one of those push button drives!  He was such a character in the very best sense of the word....a big personality.  My mom Opal and dad Emory both adored him.   He and my dad were good friends..I believe Harvey was a pallbearer at my dad’s funeral.  I lost my mom eight months ago and I know too well your pain.  Try to remember what a profound positive impact he had on several generations of students and athletes.  My prayers go out to Linda and Kip and the whole family.  ❤️❤️❤️

Coach Cochran was one amazing person.  He was my softball coach at North Cobb. He cared deeply for the game and his athletes. His impact to many will live on and he will be greatly missed. 

Harvey has been a friend of mine since high school. He got me a job one summer working side by side with him mixing “mud” and hauling bricks and blocks for his father Horace, a superb mason. He and I rode many miles together in the back of that pickup truck. 
We went to separate colleges but we visited each other’s campus over weekends. Once he invited me down to Mercer to meet a very special girl he was dating named Linda. She remained his true love for the rest of his life. When I was preparing to marry my wife Harvey was the first person I asked to be a groomsman. 
I went into the service and we lost track for several years. When we reconnected it was like a conversation that immediately resumed. 
Harvey and I could always talk about absolutely anything including our innermost thoughts, concerns and hopes. My wife Connie and I always enjoyed the times we had with Harvey and Linda sharing meals. 
Harvey was a man of high character, humor, independent thinking, courtesy, thoughtfulness and independence. He loved coaching baseball and the young men and their parents he met along the way. He loved to tell stories about coaching baseball and the traveling adventures it provided him and Linda. 
In a time when there are few truly unique individuals Harvey was not only unafraid to be himself he was determined to. 


One of a kind; the mold was broken when Coach Cochran was born.  As a young coach he always went out of his way to share advice. Even into my latter years, he never failed to listen and mentor. Never will forget the memories he gave us all. He will be forever missed.

Coach Cochran was a great mentor for me. I got to enjoy him as my teacher, and most of all a “Great Coach”!!! I send my deepest condolences, and sympathy to the family. 💙🧡NCHS💙🧡 Class of 1980. R.I.P. Coach, and play ball in heaven!!!

I was fortunate enough to play for Coach Cochran while at North Cobb and the lessons I learned from him and from baseball I still remember and use to this day.  Work hard, play fair, and give every effort to be the best you can at whatever you do.  His contributions to Georgia High school baseball will be unmatched, and so will the impact he had on thousands of kid’s lives like mine.  My deepest sympathy to his wonderful wife Linda and his entire family.  God bless you coach you will be missed.

Kip,Linda and family I'm sorry for your loss.  Alot of memories at Preacher Clackum Field. From coaching and doing the field.  My prayers are with you at this time.  Irene Clackum


Giant in Georgia Baseball, so fortunate to have known him as a friend. No words can describe his importance to our State. 

Harvey and I taught  at North Cobb in the 70’s when the faculty was smaller, very young, and very close.  Harvey always had a story, an adorable tale to tell, that made you laugh.  His wife Linda was pregnant with Kip when I was pregnant with my first daughter, Tammy.   Many years later Tammy had the opportunity of  teaching with Harvey before he retired.   She, too, had the opportunity to experience his “larger than life” personality. 

Linda, I know you, Kip, and other family members will miss him so very much.  May God hold you close in the weeks and months ahead. We will all miss Harvey. 

Harvey and I taught together at North Cobb in the 70’s when the staff was smaller, very young,  and very close.  He always had a story, an adorable tale to tell, that made you laugh.  His wife Linda was pregnant with Kip when  I was pregnant with my first daughter, Tammy.  Many years later she was fortunate enough to teacher with Harvey at North Cobb before he retired. She, too, experienced his “larger than life” personality.   

Linda, I know you will miss him so very much. We all loved Harvey.   May God hold you and Kip close in the coming weeks, month and years. 

My Friend of 62 years has passed from Earth. To know Harvest Cochran was to know a Lover of Life, People and Sport, especially Baseball. Baseball is where I first knew him and I will ever think of him in synchronicity with that.
Harvey was intelligent, competitive, funny and friendly; all predictive of a long and successful career as a Coach/Teacher of Legend. He loved and was loved by hundreds of players and thousands of students; one of the Good Guys who lived a Life of Purpose and Benefit. Heaven must have needed a Assistant Coach to keep 'EM Laughing and add to the Win Column.
I Pray for GOD's Comfort for Wife, Linda, Son, Kip, and other Family and many Friends as Harvey enters Extra Innings in the Great Celestial Ballpark. Play on Dear Friend!

A great man a understanding man who would lessening to anyone. He will be missed.

I met Harvey while coaching Milton High School in the spring of 2003.  We played at North Cobb early that year in the Dugout Club Tournament.   We played a very good game that day and Harvey said some very nice things about our squad in the paper the next day that were very encouraging to our young program.   He took time to speak into my life,  affirmations that had an impact on my life.  Everyone knew that Harvey Cochran was synonymous was excellence and his record speaks for itself.  I'm so glad that Harvey stayed in the game after he retired from coaching and has had an impact on baseball in our state and throughout the country.  I have been fortunate to have worked with Harvey at the Dugout Club and have really enjoyed our friendship.   Harvey will be missed and we were blessed to know him.

I am so thankful to have known Harvey.  As a young coach in Georgia, he was so kind and always made me feel included in anything that was going on around the state.  He helped give me the confidence that I belonged and always had a word of wisdom, encouragement, and praise for me even as I grew older.  I am eternally thankful for the time, energy, and passion that Coach put into the game and into all of its coaches.  I know for a fact that I am a better coach and a better man because of Harvey.  Although this is a huge loss for everyone that knew him, his memory, impact, and legacy will live on for generations.

It was my first year as Head Coach at Lithonia High School.  We were scheduled to play North Cobb in the Georgia Dugout Club Tournament on a Saturday at North Cobb.  Of course Harvey was very nice, outspoken, and very helpful in our visit that day.  He didn’t tell me beforehand, that the day was billed North Cobb Baseball Alumni Day!  Talk about pressure, here we are playing at North Cobb, coaching against a legend, and then having all those family members of alumni that Harvey had with lunch and festivities, to say the least, I was very nervous of what the outcome would be.  
Well, we ended up winning that day.  I think deep down inside Harvey was really upset with the outcome even though not really showing that after the game .  Years after, he would tell me that after that day, it would be the last time we would be invited back to North Cobb for the tournament.  His actual comment, “Damn, I invite you and your team for Alumni Day, and you guys beat us!  It won’t happen again.”  And it didn’t.
Harvey became a really good friend afterwards.  I will miss him a lot, prayers to Linda and the family.

Mrs. Cochran was my first grade teacher and was pregnant with Kip that year. Later, Coach was my English teacher at North Cobb. I loved having the family in my life...they are a blessing and I know Harvey will be so missed! ❤️

I was fortunate enough to play softball for Coach Cochran, have him for an English teacher and be a team manager for the baseball team from 1992-1996.    I have many fond memories of him, but two stick out in my mind.   One day he caught me leaving to skip lunch and eat off campus.   Instead of taking me to the office, he told me to make sure I brought him something back, and didn’t give me a cent.   I did it happily.   The other was when I was helping with the baseball team.     He made me step up to the plate to hit against one of the guys.   I completely whiffed.   He proceeded to tell the other guys that were taking BP that they were hitting like a girl.    It was his tough love and humor that meant the most to me, and he knew perfectly how to use both.   I’m so grateful to have known him.   I hope he knows how much he was loved and how many young lives he impacted!   

I just sat with him 2 months ago in my chiropractor office. I asked him if he coached at North Cobb. Then realized who he was. I was at NCHS in 1975. Our conversation was very endearing I’m thankful we had this time to talk. 
Brought back a lot of great memories. Our football team was great in 75! Thank you Coach for blessing the lives of many through out your lifetime here on this earth. Many will cherish your memories as you have left them with us. Prayers for your family today & always...🙏

Sad to hear of your family's loss. Harvey will be dearly missed by you and his many , many friends he accumulated with his lifetime work in Baseball in the state of Georgia. I cherished my friendship with Harvey and appreciate all the things he did to help me as a friend and a Baseball Coach over the years. Prayers for you.

My condolences and sympathy to the family. Memories will be healthy hold onto them. 

God bless 
William Gresham  class 72 NCHS. 

My son, Nathan Webb, played for the Coach from 2001-2004. I’ve always believed Coach Cochran had an enormous impact on Nathan’s life. I will never forget my time with Harvey. He was one of a kind. My favorite times were at practice and the yearly tournament at St. Simons. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen the old boy. What a shame. Prayers for the family. I’ll surely miss him. 

I was blessed enough to play softball under Coach Cochran, have him as an English Literature teacher and was involved in the baseball program.  He was an amazing man who knew when to throw the book at you and when to give you a hug.  He knew when to challenge you or let you figure it out on your own.  He wasn't only a coach and teacher, he was a father figure that I will always be grateful to have had in my life. 

Dear Linda and family,
We are so very sorry to hear about Harvey. He had such an amazing impact on our community through his teaching and coaching. As you well know, his personality was larger than life, and he was always a pleasure to be around, even as an opposing coach.  Cynthia and I pray for your peace during this difficult time. God bless.

Like many of us, I go back a long with Harvey. He was my English teacher when I was at North Cobb High and when my dad got transferred to Tampa my sophomore year, I didn't reconnect with Coach until I came back to Marietta in 1980 as a sports editor with the MDJ and then later with the AJC. Harvey was a sportswriter's dream -- straight to the point but with humor. But he was also a dear friend.  From baseball conversations after the game to lunch around the Cochran family pool with my wife and me, the memories were precious.  Atlanta baseball lost a standout coach, but the community lost a sincere and caring man. RIP coach and my your memory forever be a blessing.

My sympathy to the family of Harvey, a wonderful person and good friend.     Jim Jefferson

Coach Cochran is the epitome of what every young coach should aspire to be. He was truly an ambassador for our game, and an example of how to coach with honor and integrity.

Thank you Coach Cochran for your positive influence on not only Jeff Davis Baseball players and coaches but players and coaches around the state and the country.  Our program and many others have followed his lead in all areas on how to build and run a successful program.  Thoughts and prayers to the family.  

Cook High Baseball sends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Cochran family during this most difficult time.  Coach Cochran will be missed greatly!

Thinking of you all during this difficult time.  Coach was always a positive light to me and other young coaches coming up in the state.  He will be greatly missed by all of us!

Great man. I was proud to know him.

Clae Mathis
Mary Persons High School

My favorite Coach Cochran story. I was a young coach with only a few years experience and he was a legend. I remember seeing him at a Georgia Dugout Club clinic, and he came up to me and knew my name. I think I almost fell down. Here's this living legend coach, calling me, this young guy, by my name, it meant the world to me. That he would take the time to say hello to a young coach like that. I stepped out of the lobby of the hotel where the clinic was and called my dad. It meant that much to me. I swore I would try to be the same way once I got years under my belt and help young coaches. That has stayed with me for my whole career. It just demonstrates how he has impacted so many lives and not just players but coaches as well.

Condolences and prayers from Villa Rica High school baseball.

I'm thankful for the legacy left from Coach Cochran on high school baseball in Georgia! Thank you Coach!

Harvey and I coached against each other when he was at North Atlanta.  Always a straight shooter and always someone who cared for his athletes.  He always looked out to help other coaches.  I will never forget him.  All my prayers to his family.

An outstanding man and coach! The Benedictine community in Savannah, GA will continue to pray for his family and loved ones. Rest in Peace Coach Cochran.  

 We lost a great man, coach, mentor and, in many cases, a father figure, and I extend my deepest sympathies.

Thank you Coach Cochran for all that you have done for our state in the sport of Baseball.  

I was so sorry and shocked to hear about Coach  Cochran’s passing.  I have never met a finer Gentleman.  All baseball Coaches, Players, Umpires,  or Anyone who loves the game owe him so much for all he did for High School Baseball.  He did so much for young and old.  He was a Great Coach, Great Friend, Great Georgia Dugout Club Leader and he will be missed.  Thank you for everything Coach! The Family is in my Thoughts and Prayers and just know that we are all better people because of Coach Cochran.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Linda, Kip and the rest of the family. He was many things but most of all a good friend to me.
RIP Coach !!!

Coach Cochran was a dear friend, excellent teacher and skilled baseball coach who worked tirelessly to uplift his students, student athletes and the sport of baseball and left an indelible mark of excellence on the community, his classrooms and his players. His engaging wit and zest for life will be deeply missed. Heaven got a wonderful coach this week. Fred Bentley, Jr

OBITUARY

Coach Harvey Cochran

June 22, 1947 – August 19, 2020

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services