George “Tommy” Cochrane
George “Tommy” Cochrane peacefully passed with his wife and children by his side at Providence St. Peters Hospital on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. He was 80. George was born on May 24, 1937, in Aberdeen, Wash. to Charles and Nellie (Swanson) Cochrane. The family later relocated to Waitsburg, Wash. where George graduated high school in 1955. He then moved back to Grays Harbor and obtained his AA from Grays Harbor College in 1977.
On April 12, 1958, George married Drena Clydene (Biggs) Cochrane in Hoquiam, Wash. They celebrated 59 years of marriage and had two children.
George was a hardworking man. He served as a firefighter with the Montesano Fire Department for 28 years before his retirement in 1994. He was also employed with Interstate Asphalt, West Coast Plywood, the U.S. Postal Service, Rainier Pulp, the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department, and the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office before his final retirement.
When George wasn’t working, he stayed active in the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Alfie Shrine, Montesano Moose Lodge and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. He also enjoyed scuba diving, amateur photography, target practice, cooking, reading, watching football and being an all-around jokester. George loved working in his shop. He put his wood working skills to use when he built a 35 foot wooden flat bottom river boat. He also built 2 family homes, one of which he designed himself.
George is survived by his wife Drena Cochrane of Montesano; son Mark (Sharon) Cochrane of Guthrie, Okla.; daughter Lisa (Kenny) Cornwell of Montesano; siblings Steve (Terri) Cochrane of Elmira, Ore., John (Kassie) Cochrane of Mukilteo, Wash., Judy Byers of Aberdeen, Wash., Maryann (Johnny) Trambitas of Aberdeen, Wash., Shirley (Steve) Gunter of Aberdeen, Wash. and Barbara (Bill) Bleak of Tucson, Ariz.; and half-siblings Judy (Brian) Davies of Eugene, Ore., Ann (Jim) Helm of Kent, Wash., James Cochran of California, and Joanne Swift of Rochester, Wash.; along with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Terry and Linda Biggs, six grandchildren: Michael (Erika) Cochrane, Leslie (Mark) La Rusch, Alicia Cornwell with fiancé Gary Loomis, Jason Cornwell with girlfriend Tiffany Ramberg, Chris (Becky) Cochell, and Kaycee Cochell; four great-grandchildren: Grace Cochell, Samson Cochell, Gabby La Rusch and Eileen Fruichantie; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Doug Cochrane.
A celebration of Life will take place at The Montesano Moose Lodge on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, from 12-3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department or Providence St. Peters Oncology Healing Garden Fund (413 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506).
To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com Harrison Family Mortuary of Montesano was honored to assist the family.
