Kenneth Ray Cochran

Kenneth "Ken" Ray Cochran, 82, died July 12, 2012 at Aldersgate Village, Topeka. His body was cremated. Ken was born September 2, 1929, at Dearing, Kansas to Kelse William and Estella Frances (DeShields) Cochran. He was a retired U.S. Air Force MSgt (September 1947-August 1951 and September 1951-May 1972), serving during the Indochina, Korean and Vietnam wars in the Office of Finance with tours of duty at Topeka, Kansas (twice at Forbes Field); Grandview, Missouri ( Richards-Gebaur); Anchorage, Alaska (Elmendorf); Germany (Wiesbaden, Erding) and England (Sturgate). He received the following military awards: Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Longevity Service Award with an Honorable Character of Service. He was employed full time in the Kansas Secretary of State?s Office from 1973 until his retirement in 2000; he worked part-time in the same office from 2000-2010. He was so proud to serve under several Kansas Secretaries of State. He married Virginia Bernice (Kisner) Munsell on December 31, 1953. She died August 24, 1976. He married Helen Irene (Barker) Barber on January 23, 1982. She died September 14, 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives as well as his sisters, Marjorie Louise and Shirley Ann; two brothers, William Francis and Robert Lafollete and a nephew Ronald Cochran. He is survived by his children, Michele (Kevin) Reese, Auburn, and Michael (Sue) Cochran, Topeka. Also surviving is his brother Eugene Waylan, Coffeyville, and grandson, Justin Adam Cochran; nieces and nephew, Patsy, Linda and Larry, Coffeyville; nieces and nephew, Carolyn, Connie and Robert, Leavenworth. Services will be provided by Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. Arrangements will be private. Please, no floral arrangements; memorial gifts may be made to the Kansas Nurses Foundation, P.O. Box #3899, Topeka, KS 66604, in honor of the excellent nursing services provided to Ken at Aldersgate Village, Stormont-Vail Hospital, and Grace Hospice, or sent to the family in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.