John Thomas Cochran, 79, died in Alexander City Saturday, Nov. 5 following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1932 in North Perry to the late James Hardy and Mattie Lucille Cochran. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Eula Josephine Giles.

He was married for 41 years and attended Hillabee Baptist Church in Alexander City.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1952, seeing action in the Korean conflict, receiving Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1972 where he received his Air Force Commendation Medal and two Air Medals.

During his military service, he was also stationed overseas in Bitburg, Germany and Wakkanai, Japan.

He was a Free Mason and member of the Demopolis Lodge No. 49 F & A.M.

John worked for Bell South from 1973 until his retirement in 1993, during which he transferred to Greensboro in 1977. He and Eula enjoyed their retirement until 1995 when she passed away in October.

John was an avid gardner, fisherman, hunter and coin collector.

He is survived by his second life companion, Rosene Daugherty Underwood, his daughters Joni (Mike) Duck of Northport, Joy Wilcox of Greensoro, Judi Waters of Canton, Miss. and Jacki (Jay) Wolfe of Birmingham, 12 grandchildren: Brandi Johnston, Mandy Petermann, John Kirk, Kristen Weaver, Megan Lyon, Mallory Burdine, Gereg Thomas Burford, Trey Wilcox, Ashton Taylor Wolfe and Dylan Wilcox, seven great grandchildren: Gary Michael Dixon, Cameron Gage Dixon, John Harroll Petermann, Maggie Mae Ice, Coline Reed Johnston, Lawson Gray Lyon and Allie Hart Lyon, one sister, Sarah Elizabeth Johnson of Marion, and four brothers, James Oliver Cochran of Marion, William Henry Cochran of Marion, Ernest Evans Cochran of Greensboro and Robert Gray Cochran of Bossier City, La. John will be laid to rest with Military Honors in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Greensboro.

Services will be Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Arthur Thomas officiating. Kirk Funeral Homes Greensboro Chapel.

Pallbearers include Jay Wolfe, Mike Duck, Steve Adcock, John Kirk, Thomas Duck, Trey Wilcox, Dylan Wilcox, Gereg Thomas Burford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Pleasant Valley Methodist Church Cemetery.