Cochran, Rufus C.

Rufus C. Cochran died peacefully in his home August 5, 2021. He was born October 10, 1940, in Radford Virginia, the son of William E. and Alice V. (Fisher) Cochran.

Rufus graduated from Radford High School and then entered the Army. Later in life he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Oakland College.

Rufus married the love of his life, Janice B. (Surface) Cochran on November 11, 1961. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They traveled to many different states during his military career but settled in Indiana when Rufus started working for Indiana Bell. After his retirement in 1996, Rufus and Janice returned to Virginia and built a home in Pearisburg.

In addition to his parents, Rufus was preceded in death by a sister, Sarah Elizabeth Cochran, and a brother, Lewis Kent Cochran. Surviving in addition to his wife, are sons Rufus C. Cochran Jr and his wife Marci of Anderson Indiana, and Matthew A. Cochran and his partner Ernestine of Kentucky; daughter Marquise L Francis and her husband Dale of Pearisburg Virginia; five grandchildren, Rufus C. Cochran III, Lewis K. Cochran, Griffin E. Spears, Taylor Mitchell, and Alekzandr Cochran; brothers William E. Cochran of Maryland and Philip Colin Cochran and his wife Dorothy of Radford Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.

A gravesite service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 11 at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin Virginia. Those who wish to remember Rufus may send gifts, cards or flowers to Janice B. Cochran c/o Commonwealth Senior Living 7486 Lee Hwy. Radford, VA 24141.

Arrangements made by McCoy Funeral Home 150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg, VA.