Michael Dean Cochran, 65

Michael Dean Cochran, 65, passed away on Oct. 9, 2016.

He was born in 1951 in Colorado to Dean and Jo Cochran and was raised by Dean and Anne Cochran in Broomfield, Colorado. He joined the Army at 17 and served 18 months in Vietnam during his eight-year service. He loved flying and had his first solo flight at 16. He dedicated his life to maintaining and flying aircraft in Colorado for 10 years and for 28 years in Montana.

He retired from being a corporate jet pilot for Semitool after 16 years of flying all over the world, including Europe and Asia. He adored his grandchildren and loved camping and four-wheeling.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dean Cochran.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Cochran; his daughter, Dr. Billie Jo Davis and her family, George Gagnon, Anthony, Ethan, and Marcus Davis; his youngest daughter, Andrea Chambers and her family Jim, Isabella, and Abigail Chambers; his mothers, Anne Cochran and Jo Cary; his favorite mother-in-law, Leone Wachsmuth; his siblings, Tony, Dave, Julie Cochran and Darrin Cary and their families; his beloved dogs, Missy and Brutus, who provided him much comfort while ill; his second family, the Semitool flight department, and numerous friends and relatives.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Springhill Suites, Kalispell.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.