Past Grand Prytanis Cochran Passes Into The Chapter Eternal

Per Black Book, Chapter XXII, Sec. 2, Second: Death of a Grand Officer. Upon the death of any of the Grand Officers, or of a Past Grand Prytanis, the members of all collegiate chapters shall wear the black ribbon under their badges for a period of 14 days.

Chapter XXII, Sec. 2, Ninth (5): The Fraternity flag shall be displayed alone at half-mast on:
(b) On the death of a Past Grand Prytanis, or Grand Officer.

Note: We recommend 1/4" black ribbon cut into 3.5" strips. Ribbon can be purchased at stores such as Walmart and hobby & craft stores.

It is with great sadness that the Offices of the Grand Chapter announce the passing of Past Grand Prytanis Lenwood S. Cochran. Frater Cochran entered the chapter eternal on March 22, 2021.

In a declaration regarding Frater Cochran's passing, Venerable Grand Prytanis James Hickey, Ph.D., shared, "By the authority vested in me as Grand Prytanis by the Black Book, I declare Tau Kappa Epsilon in a period of mourning in which collegiate members shall wear a black ribbon under their badges for a period of 14 days, beginning today March 25, 2021 through April 8, 2021. Additionally, the Fraternity flag shall be displayed alone at half-mast during the same period."

Frater Cochran graduated from Furman University in 1950, where he majored in sociology and minored in psychology. While at Furman, he initiated into TKE at the Gamma-Mu Chapter.

Frater Lenwood was a Past Grand Prytanis, a Life Loyal Teke, a Knight of Apollo, and recipient of the Order of the Golden Eagle. He served four terms as Grand Grammateus (1959-1967), two terms as Grand Epiprytanis (1967-71) and was Grand Prytanis (1971-73). Lenwood was a Board of Advisors (BOA) Chairman for 17 years at his home chapter at Gamma-Mu (1988-2005), a member of the BOA (2005-2009) and Chapter Advisor at Gamma-Mu (1990-94). Additionally, Frater Lenwood served as a Director on the TKE Foundation (1996-2005). He was a regular contributor to the Lenwood Cochran Scholarship.

He established The Lenwood S. Cochran Scholarship Fund with the TKE Foundation in 1970 and was especially proud that significant scholarships are awarded to members of the Fraternity annually. Establishing the scholarship fund was, he said, a way to pay back the Fraternity for the great experience he had as a student.

"My journey of friendship in TKE began when I was initiated in May 1950. It reached its pinnacle when I was elected Grand Prytanis in 1971. I personally thank you and the Grand Council for your close cooperation with me for the past two years. Since being elected to the Grand Council in 1959, I have had the privilege of personally installing approximately 40 new chapters in TKE. The installation of new chapters has been my greatest experience in working with TKE."
- Past Grand Prytanis Lenwood S. Cochran
State of the Fraternity Address-A 75 Year Journey of Friendship
37th Biennial Conclave of TKE, August 22, 1973

Of note during Frater Cochran's tenure as Grand Prytanis, is the opening of the former TKE International Headquarters building at 8645 Founders Road in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, during his term as Grand Prytanis, Frater Cochran was instrumental in the decision to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital—a partnership which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022.

At the time of his election as Grand Prytanis, then Editor of THE TEKE, Bruce Ness, shared, "The personable and down-to-earth Cochran becomes Grand Prytanis as the Fraternity enters a new and more challenging era. He has proven through years of experience that he has a deep and abiding belief in Tau Kappa Epsilon and is a man who can meet any challenge."

Community involvement was always foremost in his mind. He founded the Rolling Green Water Co. Inc. and the Boiling Springs Fire District in 1969; he only recently retired from the Board of Commissioners. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in the district for several years, starting in 1969. Cochran was an active member of Earle Street Baptist Church since 1952; he served as Deacon Chairman in 1990.

Upon retiring as Customer Service Manager in 1991 after 36 years at Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, he worked as manager of 28 rental units owned by Dimi Properties LLC. In his later years, Frater Cochran became an avid bird watcher and was ever a loyal supporter and advisor to Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Frater Cochran is survived by his wife of 71 years, Jean; daughters, Francie Cochran Markham (Doug) of Nashville, TN, Libby Cochran Carman (Bob) of Greenville, and Laura Cochran McBride (Mark) of Myrtle Beach; seven grandchildren, Cassie Markham Sturdivant, Aaron Markham (Casey), Robert Carman (Allison), Mary Elizabeth Crowder (Eric), Struthers McBride (Eliza), Mills Bryan (George) and O'Neil McBride; and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the TKE Foundation at TKE.org/Donate.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting ThomasMcafee.com.

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