Keith Edison Cochran

Keith Edison Cochran of Walla Walla passed away at home on November 14, 2011 at the age of 87. Keith was a life-long resident of Walla Walla as a wheat farmer and had retired to Wheatland Village three years ago with his wife Marianne.

Keith was born November 11, 1924 in Walla Walla to Edison and Agnes (Mangan) Cochran. He was the fourth of ten children, attended St. Patrick’s Grade and High School, and graduated in 1941. Keith assisted the family on their wheat farm during WWII due to his father’s death. He later attended Seattle University for two years before returning to the family farm. On November 5, 1955 he married Marianne Martin and they began their own farming operation which continued until they retired and moved to Wheatland Village. Their first son Neal was born in 1958 and joined them in farming in 1980. Neal married Margaret (Meg) Senko in 1988 and they assisted Keith and Marianne in the farming operation. A second son Paul was born in 1962 and joined the Society of Jesus Oregon Province in 1982 and was ordained a priest in 1994.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Earl, and two sisters Elizabeth Robison and Dorothy Day. He is survived by his wife Marianne, his son Neal and wife Meg, and his son Paul. Keith’s surviving siblings are: Joseph (Spokane, WA), Robert (Salem, OR), Gerald (Sacramento, CA), Donald (Seattle, WA), Louise Cochran (Sacramento, CA), and Janet Erickson (Fullerton, CA). Keith has two grandchildren: Peter Cochran and Molly Cochran of Walla Walla. He has many nieces and nephews and relatives.

Keith and Marianne farmed in the Rulo, Dry Creek, and Spring Valley areas of Walla Walla County all of his life. He belonged to the Northwest Grain Growers, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Walla Walla Farmers Co-op, Walla Walla Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus Michael Flohr Council 766, BPOE # 287, and Assumption Catholic Church. Keith was noted for his generosity and compassion for others in need; he volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Society and contributed to many charitable causes near and far. Keith always wanted to help others and share what he had to make the lives of others better.

The recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, November 17, 7:00pm at Herring Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church on Friday, November 18, at 11:00am. A luncheon will follow after the Mass in the parish social hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to: Senior Jesuit Care Fund/Oregon Province, Walla Walla Community Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul and Walla Walla Catholic Schools through the funeral home.