John Cochran

John Nollie Cochran, age 79, a resident of Brandon, MS passed peacefully at home surrounded by his wife Judy, and three sons, Wes, Joel, Steven on Thursday, February 25, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. A graveside service will be held 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS. Visitation will be held 5-7 pm on Saturday at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS.

John Nollie Cochran was born April 23rd, 1941, in Pascagoula, MS. He grew up in Pearl River, LA, and graduated from Terry High School in 1958. He joined the Navy in 1961 and trained as a Journalist. He served abroad in the Panama Canal Zone and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38), an Attack Carrier. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1965, he used the GI Bill to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College being the first member of his family to do so.  John began his over 30 years' career in television, starting at WJTV as a camera operator and finishing as the Production Director for WDBD in Jackson. John went into business for himself as a gun show promoter. He always said, "The best boss to have is yourself." He was an avid golfer and loved playing with his friends. He loved his family and spending time with them brought great joy to his life. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Mr. Cochran was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis J. Cochran and Mary Inez Felts Cochran; brothers, Glynn Allen Cochran and Frank Ed Cochran; sister, Mary Jo Bridgers and his grandson, Ian Alan Cochran.

Mr Cochran is survived by his wife, Judy D. Barlow Cochran; sons, Wes (Jenny) Cochran, Joel (Kim) Cochran and Steven (Vanessa) Cochran; brother, Curtis Cochran, and his sisters Dorothy Singletary and Pinkie Pace; 6 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Memorials may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital.