James Albert Cochran, Jr., 78, Kansas City, MO, passed away on August 31, 2021 at St Joseph Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Anglican, Tuesday, September 7th at 10:00 a.m. An outdoor reception will follow.
James was born June 7, 1943, to James Albert and Ruth (Williams) Cochran in Newbern, TN. He graduated from Dyersburg High School, Dyersburg, TN where he was a saxophonist in the band and led his own Jimmie Cochran Combo.
He received a BS degree from the University of Memphis (Memphis State University) where he was a band member, president of the student government association, member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received an MS degree from Arkansas State University.
In 1965 James married his college sweetheart, Nancy Kennon, whom he met on a blind date. Theirs was a marriage of 56 years on August 14, 2021. Together they had three daughters.
James’ career as an educator began in Gosnell, AK (1 year) followed by Trumann, AK (4 years). In 1970 he moved to Shawnee Mission, KS for a band position at Shawnee Mission South High School. After 17 years there, he taught at Missouri Western University. His final position was with the Olathe School District and teaching jazz band at Mid-America Nazarene University.
Since retirement, Jim has enjoyed playing saxophone (and occasionally clarinet) with several local bands, including the Kicks Band, the Little Big Band, Fessler’s saxophone quartet, the Roy Cooper Band. Also at nursing homes like Little Sisters of the Poor and Garden Terrace. While COVID-19 shut them down last year, he was able to resume some groups recently.
In addition to music, Jim has enjoyed his hobby of growing tomato plants from seed. He researched varieties, studied techniques and nurtured his plants to produce an abundant crop each year. Generously, he shared with friends and family to become known as the “tomato whisperer”.
Most of all, Jim enjoyed his family. He was proud of his daughters, sons-in-law, and nine grand children. He was very close to each of them and treated each as a special person. To nieces and nephews he was the ”fun uncle”. He loved conversing with all of them and knowing about their lives.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and James and his grandfather Alfred Williams. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Cameron Meers (Dan), Kristen Bonafide (Jim), and Kerry Knepper (Tom). Also, nine grandchildren: Mycah, Aaron, (Kyndal), and Mallory Meers; Colin (Jade) and Sam Brown and Brooke Knepper and Isaac, Avery, and Sophie Bonafide. Also two step grandchildren: Michael Knepper (Alison) and Crystal Knapp (Wesley). And one brother, Alfred Cochran of Manhattan, KS and twelve nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W. 91st, Overland Park, KS 66207 or the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield VA 22116. www.diabetes.org
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 7, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: September 7, 2021, 11:00 am
Christ Church Anglican
5500 W 91st St
Overland Park, KS 66207
James was born June 7, 1943, to James Albert and Ruth (Williams) Cochran in Newbern, TN. He graduated from Dyersburg High School, Dyersburg, TN where he was a saxophonist in the band and led his own Jimmie Cochran Combo.
He received a BS degree from the University of Memphis (Memphis State University) where he was a band member, president of the student government association, member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received an MS degree from Arkansas State University.
In 1965 James married his college sweetheart, Nancy Kennon, whom he met on a blind date. Theirs was a marriage of 56 years on August 14, 2021. Together they had three daughters.
James’ career as an educator began in Gosnell, AK (1 year) followed by Trumann, AK (4 years). In 1970 he moved to Shawnee Mission, KS for a band position at Shawnee Mission South High School. After 17 years there, he taught at Missouri Western University. His final position was with the Olathe School District and teaching jazz band at Mid-America Nazarene University.
Since retirement, Jim has enjoyed playing saxophone (and occasionally clarinet) with several local bands, including the Kicks Band, the Little Big Band, Fessler’s saxophone quartet, the Roy Cooper Band. Also at nursing homes like Little Sisters of the Poor and Garden Terrace. While COVID-19 shut them down last year, he was able to resume some groups recently.
In addition to music, Jim has enjoyed his hobby of growing tomato plants from seed. He researched varieties, studied techniques and nurtured his plants to produce an abundant crop each year. Generously, he shared with friends and family to become known as the “tomato whisperer”.
Most of all, Jim enjoyed his family. He was proud of his daughters, sons-in-law, and nine grand children. He was very close to each of them and treated each as a special person. To nieces and nephews he was the ”fun uncle”. He loved conversing with all of them and knowing about their lives.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and James and his grandfather Alfred Williams. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Cameron Meers (Dan), Kristen Bonafide (Jim), and Kerry Knepper (Tom). Also, nine grandchildren: Mycah, Aaron, (Kyndal), and Mallory Meers; Colin (Jade) and Sam Brown and Brooke Knepper and Isaac, Avery, and Sophie Bonafide. Also two step grandchildren: Michael Knepper (Alison) and Crystal Knapp (Wesley). And one brother, Alfred Cochran of Manhattan, KS and twelve nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W. 91st, Overland Park, KS 66207 or the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield VA 22116. www.diabetes.org
Events
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 7, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: September 7, 2021, 11:00 am
Christ Church Anglican
5500 W 91st St
Overland Park, KS 66207
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