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21 Comments

  1. Flo Jean Schlosser
    January 7, 2015 @ 4:56 pm

    We were so sorry to hear about Ricky. I know he will be missed. I loved his smile and love all of you. Wish we could be there Russell Van, but know that we are thinking about all of you.
    Flo Jean and Don and Eva Jane

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  2. Teresa Eldringhoff Romans
    January 7, 2015 @ 6:45 pm

    So sad to hear of Rick’s passing. Our sincere sympathies to the family. Rick was a hoot and a half, and I expect he and Chet are somewhere picking right now.

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  3. Judy Stewart
    January 7, 2015 @ 6:52 pm

    Pam, so sorry to hear of the lost your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    If there is anything I can do please let me know.
    Judy

    Reply

  4. Carol A. McInnis
    January 7, 2015 @ 7:33 pm

    My sincere condolences to all of the Cochran family during this time of loss and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

    Reply

  5. Robert Goodwin
    January 7, 2015 @ 8:52 pm

    To the Cochran family, I will not be able to attend the services. But I will be there in thoughts and spirit.
    I always enjoyed visiting with Rick. We both had great stories to exchange with one another.
    Sorry again for your Loss.

    Reply

  6. Don Hamby
    January 7, 2015 @ 9:32 pm

    Rick was one of my most influential teachers and inspired me in my career as an educator. A true asset to the community. He will be missed.

    Reply

  7. Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
    January 7, 2015 @ 10:02 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. When Rick was teaching at MSU, I heard many people remark on how much he cared about his students and advisees, and that he would do anything he could to help them. You are in our prayers.

    Reply

  8. David Herndon
    January 8, 2015 @ 7:05 am

    I have know Rick for many years. Rick use to come to Fout’s Boat Dock back in the late 60’s when my folks own the dock. We would sit for hours talking or Rick would be out bow fishing.
    I will also classify Rick as a great friend.
    God Bless
    David Herndon

    Reply

  9. R.Jack Garrett
    January 8, 2015 @ 9:28 am

    Kay and I are out of the area and cannot attend the services, which we regret. From the time of “Squid” Davis at the old high school until a recent nursing home visit Rick has been a fascinating and charning friend, and will not soon fade from memory. He was a “character” with deep personal real character, and a massive asset to our community. A true educator and not just a teacher-talker, Rick revered knowledge and critical thinking and leaves a deep footprint wherever he has walked. If the turkeys he has dispatched went to heaven, he is deep in feathers.

    Reply

  10. Vicki Kettering-Paxton
    January 8, 2015 @ 2:25 pm

    Our prayers are with the “Cochran” family during this time of their loss. Rick made quite an impression on everyone he met and contributed so much to the West Plains History and music history of the town.

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  11. Linda Johnson
    January 8, 2015 @ 8:33 pm

    Rick was one of my many professors at SMSU in 1991, and to this day I still remember that class, more than any other that semester, and how much I learned . He made a huge impression on me, and that Biology class was fun and well as educational. He was an exceptional educator and human being. I want to give my prayers and thoughts to the family and God bless you always.

    Reply

  12. Linda Hedeen
    January 9, 2015 @ 6:09 am

    I was a graduate at MSU when Rick gave the speech and seeds,
    I was very moved by what he said also he was my Biology teacher . He made learning fun and interesting. During my first year of college 1992 he told me to go into Hydrology to keep our water safe to drink . He was a very smart man and he will be greatly missed,

    Reply

  13. Evelyn (Earline Holt) Reynolds
    January 9, 2015 @ 8:49 am

    I’m sorry to learn of Rick’s passing. My sympathy to the family. I have many fun memories of Rick having been in class of ’59 with him.

    Reply

  14. Raea Stika
    January 9, 2015 @ 10:00 am

    I did not meet your dad, Gretchen, but have met him through your sweet self…you were both blessed…and i am grateful !

    Reply

  15. Bud & Marie Nale
    January 9, 2015 @ 10:04 am

    Pam & Family,
    We were sorry to hear about Rick. He was a special person and will be missed by many. You have our sympathy.

    Reply

  16. Sandy Leach Bosserman
    January 9, 2015 @ 2:11 pm

    From childhood days when my father was employed with Van and Dulcie at a couple West Plains “Motor Companies,” Rick Cochran wandered in and out of the same living rooms, showrooms, and classrooms as our family, uttering words of wisdom, outrageous humor, or genuine concern for so many. As he quipped to all of his botany students as semester ended, “Every time you see a liverwort, think of me.” We have–and we always will. Blessings, Cochrans!

    Reply

  17. Bill Galloway
    January 10, 2015 @ 9:35 am

    We are sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. He was my classmate for 12 years all starting at the old Carmichael school in West Plains. He was so smart he was always just ahead of his time. The jaw breaker story, which happened in grade school was one of my favorite Rick stories. Rick grew up next door to my Grandmother Galloway. There are some good stories there as well. Rick, thanks for being part of our lives. You did your job well. God bless.

    Reply

  18. Carrie Patillo Thompson
    January 10, 2015 @ 11:29 am

    What a beautiful service for Rick when family and friends shared their memories of Rick. I’m sure Rick was pleased with the comments and the music provided by his music buddies. It had to help the grieving and healing process for his family and friends. I know David and I were both blessed by the service. Sympathy to all the Cochran family.

    Reply

  19. Kathy Geery
    January 11, 2015 @ 11:46 am

    Pam and family and friends of Rick,
    So sorry for the loss of a great man. What a legacy he leaves. Pam, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Kathy Geery

    Reply

  20. Maray Beth Lasswell Bristow
    January 13, 2015 @ 11:00 am

    Rick had a special personality – he understood far better than most how important small things can be when one no longer has them. Rick was a good listener, not just to the spoken word but also to the unsaid things. Loved his sense of humor and dedication to good music. He was a friend during a difficult time for me and I’m one of many that he did the same thing for. Blessings to you Rick, I know there is music where you are.
    Hugs to his family, Mary Beth Lasswell Bristow

    Reply

  21. rich cochran
    January 3, 2024 @ 11:55 pm

    Rick was a great man; and my father. He excelled at hiding the health issues that plagued him for the preponderance of his life, which caused him great and constant pain. Nevertheless, he and I worked a many a turkey gobbler together, and shot innumerable Quail over the best of dogs. We quibbled and quarreled, yet filled our creels with fish together. He was my father, but I will always think of him as my brother; because thats what he was.

    Reply

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