Name: Viewing for James Walter Cochrane
Start: 2023-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-11-04T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Broomhead Funeral Home - Riverton

James (Jim) Walter Cochrane

1942 ~ 2023

James (Jim) Walter Cochrane passed away on Oct. 30, 2023, surrounded by family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Jim was born on Feb. 4, 1942 in Standardville, Utah to James Cochrane and Virginia Greener Cochrane. He was the oldest of 3 boys. He attended elementary school and junior high school in East Carbon, Utah, attended 11th grade at Carbon High in Price, Utah and then graduated from East Carbon High School in 1960. He played baseball, football, basketball and track during his years of school, and has enjoyed many years of watching sporting events between his children, grandchildren and on TV. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing through the years – one year, while living in WY, there were so many deer, antelope and elk hanging in the garage, the joke in town was Cochrane's meat locker is open.

Jim married Saundra R. Thomas on Sept. 29, 1962 in Spring Glen, Utah. They met during their junior year of HS at Carbon High and Jim proceeded to court her for the next several years. They moved to Long Beach, CA. for a year where Jim worked for ARCO. They then moved to Porterville, CA. for Jim to attend Porterville College, where he studied accounting and played football for the school. While in Porterville, their first child was born, a little girl. After Porterville, they spent some time in Newark, CA. where Jim was the office manager for a blast-furnace brick manufacturer. While in Newark, they added 3 children to the family, two sons and a daughter. In 1971, they moved to Helper, Utah, where Jim worked for Braztah Coal Mining Company as an accountant. In 1978, they moved to Hanna WY, where Jim worked as an accountant and office manager for Carbon County Coal Company. While they lived in Hanna, Jim served as Mayor for the town for several years. In 1986, they moved to Flagstaff, AZ. where he and his brothers bought a restaurant, The Lone Pine, and worked together for several years. In 1989, Jim changed directions and went back to accounting. They then moved to Vernal, Utah, where he worked for Deseret Power. In 1999, Deseret Power transferred Jim to the Salt Lake office, so Jim and Saundra moved to Herriman, Utah, where they have been ever since. Jim retired from Deseret Power in 2007.

Jim's sense of humor is legendary. He was the class clown and grew up feeling invincible, thinking he could do anything– for example, when he was around 9 years old, he thought that he could swing a swing up and over and around the top bar of the swing set, falling off and breaking one arm while spraining the wrist of his other arm in the process. Another story was one time while Jim was Bishop, conducting Sacrament meeting, he mentioned how the week had been going with his household saying, "Candy & Kelly got straight A's and Brent & Todd received several blue ribbons at their swim meet and Saundra gained 5 lbs."

Jim was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Feb. 1976. Jim was sealed to his wife, Saundra, and their children on Feb. 26, 1977 at the Provo, Utah temple for time and all eternity. Jim served as an Elder's Quorum President in Helper, Utah and then as Bishop in Hanna, WY. Jim and Saundra worked at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for 13 years, serving as ordinance workers. After working at the temple, they were called to an 18-month MLS mission, member leadership mission; for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jim had a strong testimony and remained faithful until the end. He died knowing that we can all be together as a family in the eternities.

He is survived by his wife, Saundra R. (Thomas) Cochrane and children; Candy (David) Field, Brent Cochrane, Todd Cochrane and Kelly (Mark) Orton. Grandchildren: Michelle, Jessica, Stacey, Shawn, Mitch, Stephanie, Brian and Tanner. Great-Grandchildren: Emily, Lana, Gavin, Braxton, Kaiden, Riley, McKade, Cassie & Cameron.

He was preceded in death by his parents; James Cochrane and Virginia Greener Cochrane, his brother, Carl Cochrane and a nephew, Jimmy Cochrane.

Funeral services will be held on Sat, Nov. 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 6986 W. McCuistion Ave, Herriman, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Broomfield Funeral Home at 12600 South 2200 West, Riverton, Utah. Interment will be at the Price City Cemetery, Price, Utah.

If you would like to visit with the family, please come to the viewing as they will be leaving for Price immediately following the funeral service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News from Nov. 2 to Nov. 3, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for James Cochrane

Sponsored by Broomhead Funeral Home - Riverton.

14 Entries

Jim Liddiard

November 14, 2023

I was surprised and shocked to hear of "Big Jims" passing. He was quite the character and had a great sense of humor. We will all miss him ! We send our condolences to Saundra and family knowing they will miss him greatly as well as all of us who could call him friend.

David. Van campen

November 5, 2023

Saundra
Im so sorry to hear about jims passing. He was a great guy and a heck of a footballer. Im sure he will be missed

Carol Ann Chipman

November 5, 2023

I send all my love and prayers to the Cochrane family at this difficult time. I am sad to hear of Jim's passing, and pray for peace and comfort to be with each of you. May you always cherish and remember the happy times you shared with him as your husband, father and grandfather. All my love...Carol Ann Chipman

Jim Korfanta

November 4, 2023

My Deepest Condolences to Saundra and family for the loss of Jim. I first met Jim in the first grade and we remained friends forever since. I remember going camping with Jim and his family as a youth and have fond memories of his mother baking cookies without raisins just for me. I guess she got tired of seeing me picking out the raisins before I would eat the cookies. I cherish the memories of calling each other in our senior years to wish each other a happy birthday since we shared the same birth date. I will miss meeting Jim for lunch as I pass through while visiting the area. Jim was always upbeat about his family and his life. I will miss Jim, my lifelong friend.

Kathy Papach

November 4, 2023

My prayers and condolences are with you and your family.
May he rest in Peace and may you find peace and comfort in knowing you are a forever family.

Kathy Papach

November 4, 2023

My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you and your family.
May he rest in Peace and may you find peace and comfort in knowing that your family is Forever.

Mary Hribar Smith

November 3, 2023

It is with great sorrow to heard of the passing of Jim. Can't express what a special person he was in school to everyone he associated with, he definitely was a character and fun loving young man. I DIDNT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, But he was one of the leaders of our class destined to do great things. Always thought he was a member of our church, guess he found the gospel like I did after HS. The best decision ever made next to my marriage to my special partner. Saundra, and your lovely family, i wept for your loss, but comfort of many joyful memories and knowledge that jim is preparing a place for you. A joyful, exquist home for you both shall share with all those loved ones, past friends and good friends. May God bless and comfort you & family , Jim included, you will feel his spirit watching over you, giving you comfort & guildance.. Listen carefully, for his tender counsel and you will feel his arms around you all,
Just in life. God Bless! with all our love, Mary Hribar Smith & family. Prayers are being placed on Temple rolls for you & your families

Kathryn Hutchens

November 3, 2023

Saundra - I only met you guys once but it was a very enjoyable time. As you know Jerrry died in July of 2022 but I know how highly he thought of Jim and would want you to know that he cared a lot abou him. He was always proud to have known BOTH of you. My sincere condolances to you and may God help and comfort you in this difficult time.

Kathy Hutchens

George Compagni

November 3, 2023

My Heartfelt Condolences to Saundra a family for the loss of Jimmy. Enjoyed going to school with him. May he Rest In Peace ❤

Eva Rae Archuleta

November 3, 2023

What a wonderful surprise to run into someone from back in the day from East Carbon, as an ordinance worker at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Enjoyed pleasant times on the same shift with Jim and Saundra. God Bless...Eva Rae Archuleta Jensen

Larry and Patsy Kitchen

November 3, 2023

Few words can really express our thoughts and love for Jimmy. We first met the Cochran family when we were in the Helper, Utah ward and Jimmy convinced us to go to Wyoming with his family. This would change our lives forever he had that kind of effect on people around him. Like what John and Debbie Gill said his humor is legendary but so was his love for and support for those around him and he always made time whether to go up and cut firewood or do roofing to raise money for a new church. One of his greatest gifts was to just love no questions just love. We look forward to the time we can hug him again.
Larry and Patsy Kitchen

John/Deborah Gill

November 2, 2023

Jimmy was the best Bishop and helped us all survive the mine shut down. His sense of humor is legendary. Oh the stories we could tell. Hunting and fishing trips in Wyoming along with being a great mayor. When he was Bishop he had a frame with a picture of President Kimball on one side and the Pope on the other side. When the Stake Presidency came over from Laramie he let them into the Bishops office where the side of the frame had the Pope's picture. He looked up at it and said Opps! Then he turned it over to President Kimball. We love and will miss him. Start scouting out the best Heavenly fishing holes and hunting spots for us and the Kitchens.

Richard & Sandra Tatton

November 2, 2023

So sad at the loss of a genuine friend ♥

Doug and Susan Parsons

November 2, 2023

Saundra and family, we are saddened by this news Jim was a nice guy and whenever he was around he would always make us feel welcome. Enjoy your reunion with Carl, I’m sure you two will have lots to catch up with
RIP Jim

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