Larry Dean Cochran, age 82, of West Plains, Missouri, passed away June 7, 2024, in West Plains, Missouri. Larry was born March 7, 1942, to Rufe and Alma (Pressley) Cochran in Howell County, Missouri.
Larry married the love of his life, Nadine Farris, and was happily married for 25 years.
Larry spent four years in the US Navy on the USS Goldsborough and served two tours in Vietnam. He spent 21 years volunteering his time driving veterans with the DAV van.
Larry liked going camping, traveling, hunting, spending time with family and friends and volunteering his time to help other veterans. Larry will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife Nadine; one brother Charles (Christine) Cochran; one sister Kathy Rogers; nine stepchildren; one stepson Bob Collins; several nieces and nephews; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents George Rufus and Alma Erlene Cochran; two brothers Hubert and Harold Cochran; two stepsons James and John Collins.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be June 13, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Interment will be on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Shiloh Grand Gulf Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
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When putting the cemetery into your GPS please put :
426 CR 378
Koshkonong OR Thayer Township
Missouri, 65692
June 10, 2024 @ 1:04 pm
As part of the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) volunteer drivers, I will miss him. I was his under study and co-driver. He accumulated so many, many miles driving veterans to medical appointments. Something like 170,000 miles over 24+ years. So, many stories he had about those travels… When I applied to drive in the DAV program, the VA misplaced my paperwork. Just about the time I was about to give up (about a years time), Larry rattled the cages at the VA. My training for the. DAV program came from Larry. I’m thankful for his U.S. Navy and DAV service. He always stated my pay needs to docked…
If possible please donate to the DAV to help the veteran transportation program, thank you…see website below. Retired MSgt. Bruce A. Dunnihoo, USAF.
June 10, 2024 @ 3:29 pm
Charlie so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Laura Pendergrass
June 10, 2024 @ 9:46 pm
I was honored to have met Larry through the VA Clinic in WP. What a giving man! He spent so much time helping other Veterans with transportation to appointments or just a friendly conversation in the clinic. The world (and the VA) lost a great person. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family.
June 11, 2024 @ 8:19 am
Charlie so sorry for your loss a big part of our family will be missed. Love and thoughts to you and your family
June 11, 2024 @ 10:25 am
Larry was a great guy and did so much for the West Plains VA clinic and the Veterans he served. A lot of Veterans were able to get the care they needed by having him available to get them to their appointments. Many times Larry would be called at the last minute to give rides to Veterans that didn’t have one scheduled and he would drive in to take them where they needed to go. Larry was a very giving person and he will be missed. For the family of Larry, I am very sorry for your loss. May God give you peace and comfort.
June 12, 2024 @ 10:55 am
Charlie so sorry to hear about Larry passing. You and your family will be in my prayers. Love you all.
June 11, 2024 @ 12:02 pm
I was a fellow driver for the DAV in West Plains. Larry was the 1st driver I met about 8 years ago. He was so dedicated to the DAV program. He was the ultimate professional and a true friend. We will all miss him in the DAV. I will miss him very much. He helped train me when I started. He was one of the original drivers in 2002. My heart goes out to Nadine and the rest of his family!
June 11, 2024 @ 3:56 pm
Aunt Nadine, I am so sorry for loss. Larry was a very special person. He was loved by everybody. Made Larry rest in peace. Condolences to the family. Sincerely, Cindy Collins.
June 11, 2024 @ 4:22 pm
Charlie and Kathy, So sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with during this difficult time.
June 11, 2024 @ 4:27 pm
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Rode the school bus many years with him and his brothers and sister,,,, Prayers for the family
June 12, 2024 @ 7:11 am
Sending prayers for the family…. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many and his work here on this earth was such a blessing to so many people. RIP, Larry. Your work here is done.
June 14, 2024 @ 8:10 pm
Nadina, I was sorry to hear about your loss. Sending prayers for the family and friends. Your Cousin, Donna Shipman Alford.
July 10, 2024 @ 3:31 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Have many memories…. Sending hugs and love to all the family.