Obituary of Ronald R. Cochran

Ronald R. "Ron" Cochran, 73, of Iowa City passed away at Mercy Hospital Sunday, March 2, 2008 from complications of Hodgkins Disease. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Friday, March 7, 2008 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Thursday at the funeral home with a Masonic Memorial Service at 7pm. Memorial donations can be made in Ron's memory to the Johnson County Master Gardeners or El Kahir Crippled Children Fund. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Ronald R. "Ron" Cochran was born June 30, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Russell and Neita (Slezak) Cochran. Graduating from Iowa City City High School in 1952 , he then attended The University of Iowa where he was involved with ROTC. Ron married Janet Blecha in 1954 and they later divorced. In 1976 he met Joyce Stoddard, who became his longtime friend and companion. For many years he owned and operated RJJR Independent Insurance Agency in Iowa City, retiring in 2004. During this past year Ron completed the requirements to become a Master Gardener, something he was very proud of. He especially enjoyed answering questions on the "Hort" line. Ron's interest in foreign countries and their landmarks made for his love of travel around the world. Closer to home Ron enjoyed the holiday season, taking great pride in decorating both inside and outside his home for Christmas. And for the past fifty years on home football Saturdays you would find Ron at Kinnick Stadium cheering on those Hawks! Ron was a member of the Iowa City Masonic Lodge No. 4 A.F. & A.M .and the El Kahir Shrine Drum and Bugle Corps based in Cedar Rapids; having served as president a number of terms. He was also a member of the Eagle's Lodge in Iowa City. His family includes his mother, Neita V. Cochran of Iowa City; sons and their families, Keith Cochran (Denise) of Lone Tree and Craig Cochran (Angie) of West Branch; daughter, Sandra Taylor of Otsego, MN; five grandchildren, Sara VanVickle (Wes), Curt Lanoue, Collin Cochran, Amanda Calek (Matt), and Steven Cochran; Joyce Stoddard of Iowa City; special aunt, Cleo Studt of Iowa City, aunt, Edna Hirte of Oshkosh, WI; uncle, Harley Slezak of Appleton, WI; numerous cousins; and his loving miniature Schnauzer, Whisper. He was preceded in death by his father.