John Howard Cochran, age 80, of Albertville, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2022. He was born on September 22, 1941, in the Adamsburg Community to the late Fraser and Oline Cochran of Fort Payne. Howard graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1959. As a young man, Howard held several jobs in different fields but settled in automotive repair and managed parts and service departments for various automotive dealerships. In 1985, he decided to start his own business in automotive repair specializing in foreign automobile repair. The community knows him best as a small business owner of Auto-Medics, Inc. from 1985 until 2010.
Howard dedicated his life to helping and serving others. As a young boy, Howard became involved in Boy Scouts of America, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He became involved in the Boy Scouts again when his son was in elementary school. Scouting has been a passion of his for over 40 years serving as Scoutmaster. Howard was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and received numerous awards including the Silver Beaver award. Howard also served the community being Santa Claus for the Albertville Chamber of Commerce in its annual Christmas parade and “Cookies with Santa” event for over 20 years. Howard was honored with the Chamber’s Wall of Fame award designation for his volunteer work in 2010.
Howard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Martha Panell Cochran, his parents Fraser and Oline Cochran, and sister Linda Brown. Survivors include three children Brian H. Cochran (Lee Anne), Dr. Kimberly R. Cochran (Hadrian Moore), and Kelley Cochran Stone (Craig). Brother David Cochran, and sister Myra Politakis. Grandchildren include Martha Grace Cochran, Olivia Cochran, Phoebe Moore, Doles Howard Moore, Zach Stone (Shelby), and Collin Stone.
Services will be at Adams-Brown Funeral Home with visitation on June 2, 2022, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and memorial service on June 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Boy Scouts of Greater Alabama. Visit online Home – Greater Alabama Council (1bsa.org), choose Mountain Lakes District, and include in memory of John Howard Cochran.
