Robert Cochran

Robert Cochran passed away on January 8, 2013 at John Knox Village Health Center with his wife Rosemary by his side. Robert was born in Zinc, Arkansas on Oct. 4, 1919 to parents Robert P. Cochran and Ruth Lefevers Cochran. He was preceded in death by sisters Edith (Curtis) Dunn, Tressa (Charles) Rawlings, Eunice (James) McClure, Zelma (Joe) Unland and Brother William Cochran. He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary Wiseman Cochran, Sisters Willa Ruth (James) Jaggers, Arkansas; Lorine Wolf, Arkansas; Norma Tompkins, California and brothers Ernest, California; and Fred Cochran, Kansas; brothers-in-law Frank Wiseman, Harlingen, Texas; Charles (Sue) Wiseman and nephew Michael Wiseman, Austin, Texas; niece Ada Betty (Bryan) Finley, Kerrville,Texas; nephew James Dunn and daughter Debbie (Jeremy) Reiley, Harlingen, Texas; niece Lisa (James) Morrow, McAllen, Texas; and many other nieces and nephews. The family would like to give special thanks to Frank Wiseman, Mrs. Cochran's brother, for all the love and care he has given them over these past years since their stay at John Knox Village. The family also thanks the nurses and others at John Knox Village and the Health Center for all their care and loving support. Robert moved with his family to San Juan, Texas in 1923 where his father established one of the first Canning Plants in the Valley. He grew up here and graduated from La Feria High School in 1940. In October of 1940 he joined the U.S. Navy, undertook boot camp in San Diego, CA, was assigned to the U.S.S. Tennessee and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was one of the survivors of the attack on Dec. 7, 1941, and he vividly retold his tale of the Japanese attack in his personal account entitled ``Remembrances of Pearl Harbor.' When World War II ended, he returned to La Feria, Texas and entered the work force under the G.I. Bill with the First National Bank of La Feria. He later worked in the Mercedes, Texas branch and six years later went to the Harlingen National Bank from which he retired in 1985, after serving in several positions in these banks for 39 years. After meeting Rosemary Wiseman, they decided to marry on April 11, 1948. They are both members of the First Baptist Church of La Feria where Robert served as a deacon. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of La Feria and was honored with a 50 year award. In May of 1998, he and Rosemary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Hawaiian Island where they attended the ceremonies held at Pearl Harbor that year with many emotions but also pleasant feelings to be among so many others who survived the infamous attack. After retirement, he and Rosemary enjoyed country life on their small acreage north of La Feria and managed a citrus orchard from which they harvested and sold excellent oranges and grapefruit each fall season. In 2000 they decided to make their final life decision by moving into John Knox Village retirement center in Weslaco, Texas. They enjoyed the relaxed style of living there among many others of their peer group. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home in La Feria with a Chapel Service to begin at 2:00pm at the funeral home and burial to follow in the Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for all donations be made to the First Baptist Church of La Feria, Texas.

Robert Cochran

October 4, 1919 - January 8, 2013

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