SR1037 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1037 LRB101 20723 ECR 70398 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Virgil L. "Sarge" Cochran of Silvis, who passed away on February 10, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran was born to Grady and Artie (Pitts) Cochran in Moline on August 14, 1929; Virgil married the love of his life, Betty McDaniel, in Hernando, Mississippi on February 18, 1952; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in July, 1946; he held the honor of being a WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veteran; during his military career, he was a crew chief and aircraft mechanic; Virgil retired as Gunnery Sargeant E-6 from the USMC in 1966 after serving his country with honor for 20 years; he was extremely proud of his military service; and

WHEREAS, Upon military retirement, Virgil Cochran and his family moved to Silvis; there, Virgil worked for John Deere Harvester as an instrument test mechanic for the Product Engineering Division, retiring in 1989 after 23 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran was a member of the IAM, American Legion Post 227, and, most importantly, the Thursday morning East Moline Maid-Rite Marine Corps coffee group; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran exemplified the Marine Corps saying "Semper Fi, always faithful" in his life; he will be fondly remembered as being sweet, kind, lovable, and understanding; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Artie (Pitts) Cochran; and his wife, Betty (McDaniel) Cochran; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Cochran is survived by his children, William (Tamara) Cochran, Michael (Deb) Cochran, Brenda (Carl) Johnson, and Lisa Cochran; his grandchildren, Erin Cochran (Jayson Johnson), Laura (Dominic) Carlson, Jesse (Lindsay) Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Perry (Kristen) Johnson; his sister, Betty Davidson; his nephew, Gary (Laurie) Davidson; and his nieces, Diane (Rick) Maier and Karyn (Greg) Griffiths; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Virgil L. "Sarge" Cochran and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Virgil Cochran as an expression of our deepest sympathy.