Saturday, January 25, 2025
Lenard Robert Cochran passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025, in Sequim, WA. He was born on March 12, 1934, in Bridgeport, NE, to Donald William and Margaret Lair Cochran. An infant brother, Donald Lair preceded him in death.
After his parents divorced, Lenard lived with his grandparents for a time and then with his aunts, Blanche Brines and Myrtle Short. They lived in Nebraska, California, Washington, and Idaho.
He graduated Nampa High School in Nampa, ID, in 1952. It was there he met his love and future wife, Mary Joyce Stuart. They were married August 12, 1954. While raising their four children, Lenard worked for Idaho Power in Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls, ID and Oxbow, OR. In 1969, the family moved to Chelan, WA, as he began working as chief operator for Douglas County PUD at Wells Dam.
Wherever the family lived, Lenard was active serving in the local church they attended either as a Sunday School teacher, a board member, or singing in the choir. He also became an EMT with the local fire department in Chelan. He served as a member of the Selective Service, and the Lake Chelan School District Board of Directors. He was proud to be able to hand each of his four children their high school diplomas upon their graduations.
Whenever there was an opportunity to volunteer to help someone, he was there.
His hobbies ranged from bird watching- especially hummingbirds, to gardening, and even woodworking. He made lovely things like bookshelves, music stands, a cradle that was passed through all the grandchildren, rocking horses, and rocking chairs for his kids and grandchildren. He always had a passion for reading, which led to researching his ancestry.
Lenard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; son, Tim; parents; stepmother, Margaret L. Hartman Cochran; sister, Sister Noelle of the Dominican order; and son in law, Brian Harris.
Lenard is survived by his daughters: Brenda (Greg) Hendrick in Malo, WA; Dawn (Brian) Harris of Chelan, WA; Lynn (Vernon) Fosket, of Sequim, WA.; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Mike Cochran of Austin, TX; sister, Sheila McGinty of Perris, CA; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.
