The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 2, 1988, page 14

RAY L. COCHRAN

     Ray L. Cochran, founder of Ray's Auto Parts in Bingen, died at his home in White Salmon Monday, at the age of 66.
     Mr. Cochran was born Feb. 5, 1922, in Burnington, N.C., to Una (Ray) and John H. Cochran. He graduated from high school in N.C., then moved to the Mid-Columbia area to work as a logger. He married Vivian Dickerson in Stevenson on Dec. 23, 1940. He served in the Army from 1942-1945. After his discharge, he settled in White Salmon. He started the auto parts store in Bingen in 1953. He was also the owner of Stevenson Auto Parks and Columbia Hardware in Stevenson. He owned the cherry orchard near Columbia High School. He loved his orchard and loved to fish.
     Mr. Cochran is survived by his wife, Vivian; two sons, John W. and James E., both of Hood River; one daughter, Judy L. Burns, Vancouver; eight brothers and sisters, Clarence Cochran, North Carolina, Clyde Dehart, Goldendale, Helen Muhs, Hood River, Maude Justice, George Cochran, Addie Roark and Floyd Cochran, all of Parkdale, and Bill Cochran, Georgia; five grand-children and two great-grandchildren.
     Graveside services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at the White Salmon Cemetery, with Rev. Jim Gentry officiating. Vault interment will be at the White Salmon Cemetery.
     Contributions may be made to the Heart Association.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer