Raymond "Ray" Cochran's Obituary
Raymond “Ray” Cochran
Lakeland- Raymond M. Cochran, 78, passed away June 10th, 2023, peacefully with his loving wife by his side.
Mr. Cochran was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 5th, 1944 and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1963 and enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old. He proudly served two tours in Vietnam as an Engineer in the U.S. Navy, Seabees. After his return from Vietnam, he attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Mr. Cochran worked for the City of Lakeland as the City Planner. Some of his favorite projects were Petersen Park, Lake Parker Park and the Polk Parkway.
He loved spending time with his friends and family. He enjoyed gardening, photography, traveling all over the world and sharing stories with anyone who would listen. Mr. Cochran was preceded in death by his parents, Winfred and Arline Cochran of St. Petersburg, Florida and sister Diane Cochran-Coyne of Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Mary; brother Eric; daughter Michelle; sons Michael and Eric; 10 Grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, June 19th, 2023 from 6-8 pm at Gentry Morrison Southside Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 at 11 am at Resurrection Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of Ray Cochran. https://t2t.org/t2t-donate.
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