David Cochran
David Monroe Cochran, 91, passed away at The Manor in Morrisville, Vt., on Oct. 24, 2016. David was born on May 27, 1925 in Luling, Texas to David Bynum Cochran and Cleo Monroe Cochran. He graduated from Luling High School in 1942 and attended Texas A&M for one year. In 1943, David was sent to Southwest Louisiana Institute in Lafayette for U.S. Navy apprentice seaman traini
ng and then to midshipman school at Columbia University in New York City. In December 1944, David was assigned to USS-LSM (Landing Ship Medium) 427 in Philadelphia. At the age of 19, David served as Ensign and was the youngest officer on board. LSM 427 and its crew were responsible for moving U.S. troops and equipment between the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines, and later in and around Japan. From 1951 to 1953, David was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant during the Korean War and helped run the U.S. naval base in Newfoundland. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserves in Austin and later retired with the rank of Commander.
Between naval service in World War II and the Korean War, David returned to Texas A&M and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. Several decades later, in 1971, he earned a Master of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning at the University of Texas.
On June 11, 1960, he married Maryanne Cardwell, of Luling, whom he had known since the age of 10. They relocated to Austin and had two children, Virginia Cochran Kerrigan and David M. Cochran, Jr., In 1962, David began his 26-year career with the Texas State Department of Health, retiring in 1988 as the Associate Deputy Commissioner. He served as the Interim Director of the Texas Water Utilities Association between 1988 and 1992 before fully retiring.
David and Maryanne joined Covenant Presbyterian Church in 1965 and were active members for over 45 years. They treasured their association with Covenant, served on many committees through the years, and made life-long friendships. They enjoyed traveling to England, Scotland, Newfoundland, and all over Texas.
In 2012, David and Maryanne moved to Vermont. They made dear friendships while living at Copley Woodlands in Stowe and at The Manor in Morrisville.
Survivors include daughter, Virginia Cochran Kerrigan and husband Barry of Stowe, Vt.; son, David Monroe Cochran, Jr., and wife, Miranda Grieder of Hattiesburg, Miss.; grandchildren, Katie and Charlie Kerrigan, and Liam Cochran. David is predeceased by his wife and parents.
A memorial service for David will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, Austin, Texas.
My deepest condolences to the Cochran and Cardwell families. Mr. & Mrs. Cochran were some of the sweetest people I have ever met.