Richard Morrison Cochran
A Memorial Service for Richard Morrison Cochran, 73, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2015, at the First Christian Church, 422 West Main Street, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
A lifelong resident of West Plains, Richard Morrison “Rick” Cochran, son of the late Russell Van and Dulcie Morrison Cochran, was born July 24, 1941, at Cottage Hospital and surrendered his soul to Heaven’s keeping January 6, 2015. Rick was married to Connie Garner in 1963 and had two children from that union, Richard and Gretchen. Rick married again on March 22, 2003, to his wife Pam, who survives him, along with stepchildren Brandi, Brittney and Becca. His two brothers, Russ and Michael, also survive.
In addition to his family, the loves of Rick’s life were hunting, fishing and guitar picking. As a young man, he developed a reputation as one of the area’s most savvy turkey hunters, spending countless pre-dawn hours in the woods long before the season opened, honing his calling technique while tracking the elusive birds’ movements. The many gobbler beards displayed on the walls of his music room are a testament to his skills as a hunter. His dad was also an avid outdoorsman, and the two of them kept the family supplied with a bounty of quail, dove, turkey, venison, wild duck and fish.
Rick and his brothers shared a great admiration for Chet Atkins that inspired all three to become guitar players. The Cochran brothers made numerous trips to Nashville together to spend time with their hero and indulge in various adventures, often attending the annual meeting of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society with close family friend, Dennis Crider. His store, Rick’s Music, a fixture on The Square in the 1980s, was a picker-friendly meeting place for professional and amateur musicians alike. Weekly Thursday night jam sessions in Rick’s at-home music room were a long-standing local tradition that included musicians from all around the area. Rick welcomed one and all, from young beginners with hand-me-down acoustics to virtuoso guitar, fiddle and banjo players, giving them a space to share and enjoy making music for the pure fun of it.
A 1963 graduate of Arkansas State College, Rick taught biology at MSU-West Plains for nearly 30 years, making a lasting impact on thousands of students with his unpredictable teaching style and an ability to make learning easy, enjoyable and applicable to real life. The year of his retirement he was keynote speaker at the university’s commencement ceremony. In his speech he used the metaphor of growing gourds (one of his hobbies) and how every gourd is different to illustrate the path to a fulfilling, individual life. When the graduates accepted their diplomas, each one also received a packet of gourd seeds with written instructions for how to sprout them.
Rick was a creature of habit, and for many years you could find him eating lunch at the original Ozark Café on Washington Avenue or the Red Apple Grill on The Square. Waitresses all over town knew that Picky Ricky, as he came to be known, wanted his “toast burnt” and his “milk cold.” Wherever he went he was glad to shoot the breeze with friends and strangers alike.
Rick’s generosity shone most brightly at Christmastime, when he often bought gifts in bulk (one year buying nearly 100 Daisy Red Rider BB guns), distributing them to friends and family with glee. Endearingly eccentric, Rick was exceptional in most every way, and his life was filled with learning and humor.
The family wishes to thank the staff at West Vue Nursing Home for their devoted care during his final days, which were spent with the company of family and many, many friends. He was a part of the spirit of his beloved hometown, and greatly loved. His like will not be seen again.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in his name to the Wild Turkey Federation or the Sierra Club and they may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Flo Jean Schlosser
January 7, 2015 @ 4:56 pm
We were so sorry to hear about Ricky. I know he will be missed. I loved his smile and love all of you. Wish we could be there Russell Van, but know that we are thinking about all of you.
Flo Jean and Don and Eva Jane
Teresa Eldringhoff Romans
January 7, 2015 @ 6:45 pm
So sad to hear of Rick’s passing. Our sincere sympathies to the family. Rick was a hoot and a half, and I expect he and Chet are somewhere picking right now.
Judy Stewart
January 7, 2015 @ 6:52 pm
Pam, so sorry to hear of the lost your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Judy
Carol A. McInnis
January 7, 2015 @ 7:33 pm
My sincere condolences to all of the Cochran family during this time of loss and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Robert Goodwin
January 7, 2015 @ 8:52 pm
To the Cochran family, I will not be able to attend the services. But I will be there in thoughts and spirit.
I always enjoyed visiting with Rick. We both had great stories to exchange with one another.
Sorry again for your Loss.
Don Hamby
January 7, 2015 @ 9:32 pm
Rick was one of my most influential teachers and inspired me in my career as an educator. A true asset to the community. He will be missed.
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
January 7, 2015 @ 10:02 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. When Rick was teaching at MSU, I heard many people remark on how much he cared about his students and advisees, and that he would do anything he could to help them. You are in our prayers.
David Herndon
January 8, 2015 @ 7:05 am
I have know Rick for many years. Rick use to come to Fout’s Boat Dock back in the late 60’s when my folks own the dock. We would sit for hours talking or Rick would be out bow fishing.
I will also classify Rick as a great friend.
God Bless
David Herndon
R.Jack Garrett
January 8, 2015 @ 9:28 am
Kay and I are out of the area and cannot attend the services, which we regret. From the time of “Squid” Davis at the old high school until a recent nursing home visit Rick has been a fascinating and charning friend, and will not soon fade from memory. He was a “character” with deep personal real character, and a massive asset to our community. A true educator and not just a teacher-talker, Rick revered knowledge and critical thinking and leaves a deep footprint wherever he has walked. If the turkeys he has dispatched went to heaven, he is deep in feathers.
Vicki Kettering-Paxton
January 8, 2015 @ 2:25 pm
Our prayers are with the “Cochran” family during this time of their loss. Rick made quite an impression on everyone he met and contributed so much to the West Plains History and music history of the town.
Linda Johnson
January 8, 2015 @ 8:33 pm
Rick was one of my many professors at SMSU in 1991, and to this day I still remember that class, more than any other that semester, and how much I learned . He made a huge impression on me, and that Biology class was fun and well as educational. He was an exceptional educator and human being. I want to give my prayers and thoughts to the family and God bless you always.
Linda Hedeen
January 9, 2015 @ 6:09 am
I was a graduate at MSU when Rick gave the speech and seeds,
I was very moved by what he said also he was my Biology teacher . He made learning fun and interesting. During my first year of college 1992 he told me to go into Hydrology to keep our water safe to drink . He was a very smart man and he will be greatly missed,
Evelyn (Earline Holt) Reynolds
January 9, 2015 @ 8:49 am
I’m sorry to learn of Rick’s passing. My sympathy to the family. I have many fun memories of Rick having been in class of ’59 with him.
Raea Stika
January 9, 2015 @ 10:00 am
I did not meet your dad, Gretchen, but have met him through your sweet self…you were both blessed…and i am grateful !
Bud & Marie Nale
January 9, 2015 @ 10:04 am
Pam & Family,
We were sorry to hear about Rick. He was a special person and will be missed by many. You have our sympathy.
Sandy Leach Bosserman
January 9, 2015 @ 2:11 pm
From childhood days when my father was employed with Van and Dulcie at a couple West Plains “Motor Companies,” Rick Cochran wandered in and out of the same living rooms, showrooms, and classrooms as our family, uttering words of wisdom, outrageous humor, or genuine concern for so many. As he quipped to all of his botany students as semester ended, “Every time you see a liverwort, think of me.” We have–and we always will. Blessings, Cochrans!
Bill Galloway
January 10, 2015 @ 9:35 am
We are sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. He was my classmate for 12 years all starting at the old Carmichael school in West Plains. He was so smart he was always just ahead of his time. The jaw breaker story, which happened in grade school was one of my favorite Rick stories. Rick grew up next door to my Grandmother Galloway. There are some good stories there as well. Rick, thanks for being part of our lives. You did your job well. God bless.
Carrie Patillo Thompson
January 10, 2015 @ 11:29 am
What a beautiful service for Rick when family and friends shared their memories of Rick. I’m sure Rick was pleased with the comments and the music provided by his music buddies. It had to help the grieving and healing process for his family and friends. I know David and I were both blessed by the service. Sympathy to all the Cochran family.
Kathy Geery
January 11, 2015 @ 11:46 am
Pam and family and friends of Rick,
So sorry for the loss of a great man. What a legacy he leaves. Pam, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Kathy Geery
Maray Beth Lasswell Bristow
January 13, 2015 @ 11:00 am
Rick had a special personality – he understood far better than most how important small things can be when one no longer has them. Rick was a good listener, not just to the spoken word but also to the unsaid things. Loved his sense of humor and dedication to good music. He was a friend during a difficult time for me and I’m one of many that he did the same thing for. Blessings to you Rick, I know there is music where you are.
Hugs to his family, Mary Beth Lasswell Bristow
rich cochran
January 3, 2024 @ 11:55 pm
Rick was a great man; and my father. He excelled at hiding the health issues that plagued him for the preponderance of his life, which caused him great and constant pain. Nevertheless, he and I worked a many a turkey gobbler together, and shot innumerable Quail over the best of dogs. We quibbled and quarreled, yet filled our creels with fish together. He was my father, but I will always think of him as my brother; because thats what he was.