Ben Cochran

Ben Cochran departed this life on December 24, 2024, full of appreciation for the time granted him by his creator in this wonderful, but imperfect world. Ben was born on April 16, 1933, as the fourth child of Guy Vason Cochran, and Estora Woodard Cochran. He spent a great majority of his life in and around Dublin. After an ideal childhood in a strong Christian home and a solid basic education in Dublin's public school system, he enrolled in Clemson University, which was at the time a military school for men. After his sophomore year, he transferred to DePauw University and graduated with a BA degree in Humanities. He earned a commission through ROTC during his college years and proceeded to flight school and later to an all-weather fighter-interceptor qualification. After a minimum time on active duty at Dover AFB Dover Delaware, he and Pat returned to Dublin to join his family's business, Cochran Brothers Co. After settling into his new work, Ben joined the Georgia Air National Guard where he continued to fly with some fine pilots just returning from Korea.

With help from Pat and a host of wonderful partners, too numerous to try to name, Ben led the company through some very difficult years for small food wholesale companies. With his son-in-law Gus Ladson, Ben formed a new corporation to operate convenience stores which were branded Friendly Gus stores. His son Guy joined Gus and Ben in 1983 and four years later Wick and Ash joined the family business. In 1993, he purchased a Chevron dealership and named it Cochran Oil Co. This made possible the company's vertical integration necessary to remain viable. Ben was very proud that with the help of GOD and the people mentioned above; the family business survived and continues to serve this community.

Ben was in the food business at the state level, serving as president of the Georgia Wholesale Grocers' Association for two terms, and was awarded the Alfred Dorman Award for service to the industry. In 2000, Cochran Bros. Company Inc. was recognized as the mid-sized family business of the year for the state of Georgia. Ben was active in the civic life of the community in the Kiwanis Club and later in the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the advisory board of the Citizens Bank of Laurens County and the board of Easter Seals.

Ben joined the First Baptist Church at a young age and except for a few years in college and in service was involved in the life of that congregation. He taught Sunday school, served on committees, chaired the Deacon body, and chaired one pastor search committee. He served as a trustee of Brewton Parker College and Chaired that body through some very difficult times.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Anne Cochran Kolb (Raymond), Nell Cochran Farmer (Bill), and Faye Cochran Prosperi (Ray), and his granddaughter, Em Ester Ladson. He leaves behind his wife of 70 years Patricia Sutton Cochran; his children, Guy S. Cochran (Tina), Lee Cochran Ladson (Gus), Wick Sutton Cochran, and Benjamin Ash Cochran (Leisha); twelve grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 26th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 27th, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church with burial to follow at Northview Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Scrap Sutton Ladson, Shep Vason Ladson, Gus Crockett Ladson, Benjamin Guy Cochran II, Jackson Woodard Cochran, Jackson Glass Cochran, Jacob Wesley Cochran, Wickly Lansing Cochran. Honorary Pallbearers will be First Baptist Church Forum Sunday School Class.

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