Neil McSwain Cochran, 65, of Georgetown passed away on January 2, 2019.

He was born on May 7, 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina to Archie and Frances Cochran. Neil married his wife, Kerstin Cochran (Wright) on May 17, 1975 in Clemson, South Carolina.

He attended Clemson University and East Tennessee State University, obtaining his bachelor's degrees in History and Political Science.

Neil retired from the Texas Veterans Commission in 2014, where he counseled and mentored veterans as they built their lives after service.  He also contributed to his community, serving as President and Chairman of Bell County Master Gardener Association and as a co-founder of the Williamson County Master Gardener Association. He started the Junior Master Gardener Program in Williamson County, an effort profiled by the Houston Chronicle in 2008.

Neil coached pee-wee football, pony league baseball, and girls fastpitch softball. He was a high school basketball referee and a softball umpire.

In his retirement, he was working towards his teaching certificate and actively substitute teaching at East View High in Georgetown.

He was a veteran of the Marine Corps. Neil was a Company Commander and Commanding Officer for Service Company, Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. He was responsible for training, health, morale and welfare of 432 Marines.

Neil Cochran is survived by his beloved wife, Kerstin Annemarie Cochran (Wright); son, Seth McSwain Cochran; daughter, Lindsey Cochran Fine; grandsons, Everett McSwain Cochran, and Fletcher McSwain Fine; granddaughters, Coralie Rose Cochran, and Farryn Elisabeth Fine; and brother, Eddie Perritt Cochran.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Cochran, and his father, Archie Cochran.

A Celebration of Neil's Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. Neil's family warmly invites family and friends to share a brief memory or thought of him during the Celebration.

Following the Celebration, a Graveside Service with United States Marine Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

Serving as Pallbearers are; Seth Cochran, Daniel Fine, Benjamin Plourde, Austin Partain, Rocky Tackett, Michael Frei, and Sunny Gleason.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are; Eddie Cochran, Ron Fine, Jim Rogers, Roger Hebard, and Bob Schnelle.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that donations made in Neil's name be made out to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Please click the "Memorial Donation" link located on the left of this webpage if you wish to go donate through online services.

You may leave a message or memory in the online guestbook by following the link below.