Ronald Clark Cochran, 97, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 1:42 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at his home. Ron was born on August 24, 1927 in rural Clark County, MO to Archie & Bertha (Pruett) Cochran. He graduated from Revere High School in 1945. He joined the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII. In April of 1950, he joined the US Marine Corps and served on the front lines in the Korean War. He earned 6 Bronze Battle Stars and numerous ribbons. He was awarded a Purple Heart and earned the rank of Sargeant and was honorably discharged in April of 1953.
Ron was united in marriage to Alice Rovene Walker on March 7, 1954 at the Peaksville Christian Church. He worked at Moore’s Business Forms in Kahoka, MO, Delta Press in Burlington, IA and was a line foreman at IAAP during the Cold War. He ended his working career with 22 years at G.E. in West Burlington, IA, retiring in 1991. He also did part time construction for many years. He was very mechanical and could fix anything, as his family and friends can attest to.
Ron was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Fort Madison, where he served as a Deacon and youth leader. He was an Iowa Hawkeye men’s and women’s basketball fan as well as a St. Louis Cardinal fan. Ron loved to be outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in the garden and on their land. He loved supporting his grandchildren’s many activities. Ron is a former member of the VFW, NRA and Pheasants Forever. He was a lifelong Republican.
Ron is survived by: his wife: Rovene Cochran of Fort Madison, IA; 1-son: Bob (Marie) Cochran of Fort Madison, IA; 1-sister: Twila Harper of Kahoka, MO; 1-daughter in law: Jill (Dennis) Pirri of Fort Madison, IA; 1-son in law: Jesse Reyes of Fort Madison, IA; 7-grandchildren: Shannon (Dave) Dannen & Karene Rosenbury of Grimes, IA; Anne (Adam) Kroll of Marion, IA; Michael Cochran, Jr. of Fort Madison, IA, Daniel (Kris) Cochran of Oconomowoc, WI, Katie (Brandon) Hunold of West Point, IA and a bonus granddaughter: Madison Pirri of Fort Madison, IA; 14-great grandchildren: Michael III, Kyleigh, Brody, Lilly, Cannon, Walker, Raven, Marshall, Bailey, Auggie, Fallon, Vivian, Quinn & Stella. He was preceded in death by: his parents, 1-son: Michael E. Cochran, Sr, 1-daughter: Carol D. Reyes, 1-half-brother: Stanley Cochran Lyttle, 1-brother: Robert F. Cochran, 4-sisters: Wilma West, Erma Cochran, Lois Wixom & Norma Jean Sartori.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. No services are planned at this time. Burial will be at a later date in Claypoole Cemetery in rural Fort Madison, IA with military honors. Memorials may be sent to: PAW Animal Shelter, 2031 48th Street, Fort Madison, IA 52627 or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, 5409 Avenue O, Fort Madison, IA 52627. Online condolences to the Cochran family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
