Thomas Raymond Cochran originally of Daniels West Virginia, went home to the lord peacefully on September 9th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Tom, Tommy, Pawpaw as he was affectionally known, was born in Beaver West Virginia on July 8th, 1940, to Ellsie and Joesph Cochran.

Tom will forever be in the hearts of many and remembered by his numerous accomplishments, faith, and devotion to his community.

Tom lived a meaningful life and came from humble beginnings. All things were possible with faith in your heart, family by your side, and hard work to back it up.

Tom dedicated his life to others, he was a guiding light to many, and his words of advice will last a lifetime. He understood the meaning of respect and compassion for people.

Philippians 2:3-8 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, count others more significant than yourself”. This verse is something Tom lived by. If you needed a friend, someone to lend a listening ear, or advice Tom was always there with his kind heart and wise words.

Tom served his country with the US Army in Augsburg Germany in 1959. Upon his return to the states, he followed in his father’s footsteps working in the coal industry for thirty years.

With God’s blessings, support, and his childhood interest which led him to train in aviation at Spartan school of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After a one-day retirement from the coal industry he then began a twenty-four-year career as the manager of the Raleigh County Memorial Airport. He had a vision for Southern West Virginia, and he worked tirelessly for the economic growth of his community, the safety of his patrons, and diversifying opportunities for higher education in the aviation industry.

His work and character are truly inspiring and will be acknowledged for many years to come.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of sixty two years, Barbra Cochran of Kingsland Georgia; daughter Susan Cochran-Gass and her husband Frank Gass, of Munich Germany; daughter Wendy Cochran-Campbell and her husband, Peter Campbell of St. Marys, Georgia; grandchildren Isaiah, David, and Amelia, along with their partners Matthew and Macy; great-grandsons Matthew III and Jack Thomas; siblings Bob Cochran and the late Daisy Cochran of Beckley, WV Joey Cochran and his wife Nancy Cochran of Daniels, WV and Susan Cochran-Houchins and her husband Pete Houchins of Monroe North Carolina.

Tom made all our lives special, and we are forever grateful for him. As he often said, we will see him on the other side.

A service will be held in Georgia at First Baptist Church in St. Mary’s on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00pm.

A memorial service will be held in West Virginia Rose and Quesenberry funeral home, Shady Spring, West Virginia on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 4:00pm.