Derald Cochran

WOODLAND AND BANGOR – Derald Henry Cochran, 88, died suddenly, at his home , Tuesday November 15, 2022. He was born September 10, 1934, in Woodland, the son of Herald and Cora (Stitham) Cochran.
Derald grew up in Woodland (The County). He worked many years for Bearce-Carter Oil Company in Caribou. A group from Bearce Carter started a bowling team. He was a great bowler and won many trophies. In 1969, he moved his family to Bangor. He was hired at Bangor Chrysler-Dodge. In a newspaper article for “Seniors in the workplace”, he said he was brought up on a potato farm and had been driving since the age of 10. At 70 years old he was still selling cars at Bangor-Chrysler Dodge. He enjoyed selling cars and was the top salesman for many months of the year. He was awarded many sales recognition plaques. He made many friends over the 34 years he worked for Chrysler-Dodge. His youngest son, Shawn, lives in Indiana and he made his first flight (and many more) on an airplane in his 80s to Indiana to see his son, Shawn.
In his retirement years, he went to the Bangor Mall each morning to have coffee with his friends. But his greatest enjoyment was being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Derald is survived by his wife, Leola; son, Derald E. Cochran and his wife, Nona, of the Philippines; a special daughter, Coralee and her husband, Ronald Vachon, of Athol, Massachusetts; sons, Shawn T. Cochran and Brian S. Vogt, of Batesville, Indiana; a sister, Brenda and her husband, Richard Kempton, of Plymouth; grandsons, Derald H. “Jay” Cochran II and his wife, Kimberly of Bangor, Jamie Vachon and his wife, Katherine, of Sydney Australia, Stephen James, of Cincinnati Ohio, Michael Cochran and William “Will” Cochran, of Bangor; granddaughters, Mikel Cochran, Nikki Cochran, and Sherri Colford; great-granddaughters, Syndel, Desiree, Trinity, and Victoria; and great-grandsons, Miles, Ronin and Troy.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Curran; brother, Richard Cochran; son, Michael “Mike” Cochran; and grandson, Ronald E. “Ronnie” Vachon Jr.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, with Rev. Dr. Jerry Mick officiating. Interment at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor will follow, immediately following the service. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.