Obituary of Kenneth Dale Cochran

On Monday, February 10, 2020, Kenneth Dale Cochran (a.k.a. Head Duck), made his way to heaven.  Ken was born April 18, 1941 in Mobile, Alabama.  He moved to Tampa after receiving a degree in business from Auburn University.   Ken is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Susie Cochran, his 2 daughters, Sunny Dallafior (Luke) and Casey Burke (Tyler “TJ”) and his 3 grandchildren; Roman Dallafior, Colette Dallafior, and Juliana Burke.  Ken is also survived by his sister, Shirley Shearer, brothers-in-law, Bob Shearer, Karl Schroeder, and Steve Schroeder, nephews, Rob Shearer, Jeff Shearer, and Steve Schroeder, and niece, Katie Schroeder. He would not want us to leave out his loyal companion, Malachi, his faithful Labrador retriever.  Though our family is saddened beyond belief, we are comforted knowing that Ken was not frightened by death.  After his diagnoses of Leukemia, he told his wife that it was a “win” for him either way, as he knew he had a place in heaven. 

We are so proud of his many accomplishments both personally and professionally.  He was a man of great integrity who lived all aspects of his life based on his Christian faith.  In his career in Life Insurance/Financial Planning, Ken truly believed that he was providing his clients with a “policy of love” to insure that their families would not be burdened after death.  In recognition of his dedication to his clients, Ken was selected as Agent of the Year, Pacific Mutual Life, 1986, and Agent of the Year, Tampa Association of Life Underwriters, 1989.

Ken strongly believed in stewardship and started an annual clay shoot fundraiser to benefit the Children’s Home Network.  In the past 25 years, the Schwarzkopf Memorial Sporting Clays Classic has raised over $1.6 million dollars to benefit thousands of abused and neglected children.  He also established the PhD program, Pledge, Hope, Desire, whereby people could purchase a life insurance policy with the Children’s Home Network as beneficiary.   Ken was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mid-Town Tampa, and Ducks Unlimited, as well as a founding member of the Tampa Bay Auburn Alumni Association. 

Ken loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  It brought him great joy to share that passion with so many friends and family.  He wrote an annual newsletter, Tampa Wingmasters, to bring people together with stories of various hunting and fishing adventures, as well as stories of beloved hunting dogs.  He loved to bring his friends together and found joy in their successes. 

Ken leaves us with a beautiful example of a life well lived.  He was rarely angry, always goofy, and consistently positive.  He valued faith and family above all, and treasured his large network of friends. He will be deeply missed.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 408 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572.  There will be a gathering of family and friends starting at 10:00 am followed by a service to celebrate his life at 11:00 am.

We ask that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Children’s Home Network, 10909 Memorial Hwy, Tampa, FL 33615, or a charity of your choice.