Donald “Don” Carroll Cochran, 92, of Mt. Vernon passed away on May 24th, 2020. We remember Don as a loving husband of nearly 70 years. He never knew a stranger and was an avid reader and Buckeyes fan. His smile and laugh were contagious.
Don was born on May 26th, 1927 at Hunt Station, Ohio, to R. Lake and Ruth (Bird) Cochran. They attended the Vine Street Church of Christ in Mt. Vernon. In 1944 he graduated from Mt. Vernon High School and went on to serve in the US Navy during WWII. After returning from the war, he obtained his private pilot license. Don graduated from Bliss Business College in Columbus, Ohio and worked at Cochran Motors in Mt. Vernon. He married (Elizabeth) Lenor Rapp on September 24, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, of which they became members.
In 1961 he opened his own dealership, Cochran Ford, in Fredericktown. Don loved people and serving his customers. He would frequently deliver cars and titles personally to his customers. A master mason, he was a 75-year member of Mt. Zion Lodge F&AM #9. Don was involved in Kiwanis, Lion’s Club and JayCees, and also served on the Muskingum Valley Boy Scout Council in the 1970s during the time that his son, Kevin, was in scouts. He loved the Cleveland Indians and followed college basketball and football, keeping detailed records and rankings.
Don is survived by his wife Lenor, sister Janet Kerwood of Phoenix, AZ, his children Deborah, Rebecca (Metcalf), Kevin, Jennifer (Mosquera; husband Chuck Winter), twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. He has five nieces and nephews and fourteen great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Lois Sherrard of Accident, MD.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021 starting at 12:00 noon at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon. Friends may call from 10:00 am until time of services on Saturday. Masonic services will be conducted by Mt. Zion Lodge # 9 F&AM.
Donations can be made in his memory to WOSU Television via https://wosu.org/support/ or 1.800.455.9678
