Christopher Benjamin Cochran, age 41, a warrior for both family and faith, received his Heavenly healing at 4:15 PM on Sunday, December 4th, 2016 at his home in Claremore, Oklahoma while surrounded by his loving family. Chris courageously battled stage IV cancer for more than two years with every available treatment in order to spend as much time with his family as possible. His selfless act of love was a testament to his deep dedication to those he loved most.
Chris was born on Monday, July 28th, 1975 to Bill and Renee (Sykes) Cochran in Columbus, Kansas. Chris grew up in Labette County and attended 506 schools, graduating in 1993 as the Labette County High School Valedictorian. He was a member of the Altamont Christian Church and was baptized into Christ shortly after his 9th birthday.
Quiet and studious, Chris followed his dream of becoming a Civil Engineer by attending Kansas State University and graduating in December of 1997. Shortly after graduation, Chris was hired by Tri-State Engineering of Joplin, Missouri, for which he continued to work for the majority of his career. Chris also enjoyed using his knowledge and skills to help others by participating in mission trips to Mexico to help build homes for those in need and a trip with Engineers Without Borders in the fall of 2013 where he helped bring clean water to remote villages.
The summer of 1997 was an especially exciting one for Chris as he was not only preparing for his final semester of college, but he was also introduced to the love of his life, Keri (Rucker) Cochran. As both were known for carefully considering all options of every situation and making decisions only after serious and usually lengthy consideration, it came as a surprise when Chris proposed only a few months later and the two were married on January 25th, 1998. The marriage proved to be a happy and prosperous one as three children were added to the home, Kate in 2002, Olivia in 2004, and Caleb in 2008.
Chris was always a quiet presence, wasting no words. When he did speak, however, those around tended to take note as they knew the wisdom offered had been carefully examined before offered. Following his diagnosis of an extremely rare form of adrenal cancer in the summer of 2014, Chris made the decision to fight the disease with any means possible, going as far as to seek out experimental treatments that allowed him a few more precious months with his family. His heart was also more open and softened to others by this experience, and he used his new-found platform to encourage others to seek first Christ and to take seriously the responsibility of caring for one's family. Only a short week after having a hip replacement following a fracture, Chris was determined to take the trip of a lifetime with his extended family to Colorado in order to make memories and grow closer as a family.
Chris is survived by his loving wife and children, all of the home, his parents of Oswego, Kansas, brother Jeremy Cochran also of Oswego, brother Josh (Elizabeth) Cochran of Galesburg, Kansas, and maternal grandparents, Howard and Donna Sykes of Greenfield, Missouri. Chris is also loved and will be missed by his parents-in-law, John and Linda Rucker of Parsons, Kansas, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Chris was preceded in rest by his paternal grandparents, Jay and Vida (Jarman) Cochran, one uncle, Steven Sykes, and one nephew, Xander Cochran.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Oswego Christian Church. A private family graveside service will follow.
Memorials are suggested to Hidden Haven Christian Camp, a place that blessed Chris throughout his youth and even played a part in meeting his wife. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher B. Cochran, please visit our flower store.
Chris was born on Monday, July 28th, 1975 to Bill and Renee (Sykes) Cochran in Columbus, Kansas. Chris grew up in Labette County and attended 506 schools, graduating in 1993 as the Labette County High School Valedictorian. He was a member of the Altamont Christian Church and was baptized into Christ shortly after his 9th birthday.
Quiet and studious, Chris followed his dream of becoming a Civil Engineer by attending Kansas State University and graduating in December of 1997. Shortly after graduation, Chris was hired by Tri-State Engineering of Joplin, Missouri, for which he continued to work for the majority of his career. Chris also enjoyed using his knowledge and skills to help others by participating in mission trips to Mexico to help build homes for those in need and a trip with Engineers Without Borders in the fall of 2013 where he helped bring clean water to remote villages.
The summer of 1997 was an especially exciting one for Chris as he was not only preparing for his final semester of college, but he was also introduced to the love of his life, Keri (Rucker) Cochran. As both were known for carefully considering all options of every situation and making decisions only after serious and usually lengthy consideration, it came as a surprise when Chris proposed only a few months later and the two were married on January 25th, 1998. The marriage proved to be a happy and prosperous one as three children were added to the home, Kate in 2002, Olivia in 2004, and Caleb in 2008.
Chris was always a quiet presence, wasting no words. When he did speak, however, those around tended to take note as they knew the wisdom offered had been carefully examined before offered. Following his diagnosis of an extremely rare form of adrenal cancer in the summer of 2014, Chris made the decision to fight the disease with any means possible, going as far as to seek out experimental treatments that allowed him a few more precious months with his family. His heart was also more open and softened to others by this experience, and he used his new-found platform to encourage others to seek first Christ and to take seriously the responsibility of caring for one's family. Only a short week after having a hip replacement following a fracture, Chris was determined to take the trip of a lifetime with his extended family to Colorado in order to make memories and grow closer as a family.
Chris is survived by his loving wife and children, all of the home, his parents of Oswego, Kansas, brother Jeremy Cochran also of Oswego, brother Josh (Elizabeth) Cochran of Galesburg, Kansas, and maternal grandparents, Howard and Donna Sykes of Greenfield, Missouri. Chris is also loved and will be missed by his parents-in-law, John and Linda Rucker of Parsons, Kansas, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Chris was preceded in rest by his paternal grandparents, Jay and Vida (Jarman) Cochran, one uncle, Steven Sykes, and one nephew, Xander Cochran.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Oswego Christian Church. A private family graveside service will follow.
Memorials are suggested to Hidden Haven Christian Camp, a place that blessed Chris throughout his youth and even played a part in meeting his wife. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher B. Cochran, please visit our flower store.
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