Obituary of Douglas Glen Cochran

Douglas “Toby” Cochran was born, appropriately, in Milwaukee, WI., beer capital of the U.S. on June 29, 1961. He headed out for eternal fishing and buggying from Glendale, AZ. On April 19, 2022. Son of Lois Douglas Cochran and Glenda Pauline (Scott) he grew up with his sister Paula (McNatt) and later his younger brother Jim Wise. He moved frequently growing up, living in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and Colorado, but Arizona had been his home for the last 45 years. He married Rhonda (Creach) on September 12, 1981 and fathered two sons and fellow off-road enthusiasts, Glen and Aaron. Toby had several jobs over the years, but his longest and final job was as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator and unofficial source of all knowledge with Salt River Project. He loved spending time in his garage, around any type of fire, being with his immediate and extended family, his friends, his dogs and roving the Dunes and Cinders in a sandrail or fishing at one of his favorite lakes. Toby was consistently and unapologetically politically incorrect, inappropriate in his humor, irrespective of boundaries and sensibilities, and as his niece Heather stated, “Teasing was his love language.” Toby never met a stranger and would talk to anyone about anything. You seldom saw him without his preferred “barley pop” in one hand and the ever-present cigarette in the other. He made an amazing Santa Claus for lots of happy littles, including some with special needs, bringing magic to life. He battled cancer with humor and his last reported words, when asked where he was, were “At the lake.” His humor, zest for life, the sparkle in his eyes when he was “up to something” and his gravitational pull at family events will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rhonda, his sons Glen Cochran and Aaron Cochran, his sister Paula (Cochran/McNatt) and brother Jim Wise, 4 nieces, 1 nephew, 12 great nieces and nephews, in-laws and outlaws, friends of the two-legged and four-legged variety. All of whom he considered family and loved dearly and with all of his heart. A celebration of life will be held on May 21st at Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center at 5600 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale, AZ., from 1 PM to 4 PM in the Bobcat room 204. The celebration is open house style, so please feel free to come and go as it suits your schedule. Snacks and basic beverages will be served.