Carl Daniel Cochrane

Carl Daniel Cochrane, 90, of the Banks community passed away January 8, 2015 at Tuality Community Hospital.

A memorial service is planned for 2:00pm Saturday, March 7th at the Banks United Methodist Church in Banks, OR.

Carl was born October 28, 1924 in Oak Park, Illinois. He was one of five children born to John and Lola (Ghormley) Cochrane. He grew up and received his early education in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1942. Following high school, Carl attended St. Cloud Teachers College for one semester before joining the military. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, and served until 1946. While in the military, Carl attended Harvard University and the University of Oregon. After he was discharged, he moved back to Minnesota and finished his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.

Carl met his future wife, Jeanne, while attending the University of Minnesota. They met at a circle dance hosted by the nurses' dormitory where she stayed on campus. Carl and Jeanne courted for three years before they were married on June 18, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the church Jeanne's father rebuilt. Following their wedding, they made their home in Seattle, WA, where Carl began working for Boeing. In 1956 they moved to Melbourne, FL for a short period, where he worked for Boeing at Cape Canaveral until 1957, when they returned to the Seattle area. They made their home in the Seattle suburb of Mercer Island for several more years, where they raised their five children. In 1972, Carl began work with Bonneville Power in Portland, OR, and moved the family to nearby Aloha, OR. In 1975, Carl, Jeanne, and family moved to the community of Banks, OR and settled into their home on one acre overlooking the foothills of the coast range. Carl retired from Bonneville in 1990, continuing to live in his rural Banks home until the present.

Carl was an active member of the Banks Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir. Carl was a gifted singer, with a deep bass voice, performing at weddings and on stage, as well as doing many solos for the church. He was a talented and dedicated photographer, covering weddings and other special occasions. He was a very gifted handyman, always capable around the house and garage. He loved to work on anything electrical or automotive, spending long hours tinkering with his cars, and helping his friends and family members with their auto problems. Carl could fix just about anything mechanical, and was always eager to help. In his retirement, Carl and Jeanne enjoyed traveling in their motorhome across the United States, to visit friends and family. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, especially attending their musical and theatrical performances, recording everything with his many cameras.

Carl is preceded in death by his daughter, Loni Vendettuoli; brothers, John and Bill Cochrane; and sisters, Lola Hart, and Flora Rukavina.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jeanne; his sons, Brad Cochrane of Banks, OR, and Todd (with spouse, Chun-Yen) Cochrane of Manhattan, KS; his daughters, Jill Kilby, and Gwen Steinbach, both of Forest Grove, OR; and his six grandchildren: Blaine Vendettuoli, Heather Nielson, John and Rosie Steinbach, and Anne and Albert Cochrane.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Carl's name be made to Banks United Methodist Church; Banks or Forest Grove High School music or drama programs; or Theatre in the Grove.