James "Jim" Cochrane passed away on October 19, 2024 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was 81 years old.

Jim was raised on a farm south of Gary with his parents, one sister, and three brothers. He graduated from Gary High School in 1961. Then he attended Dakota Wesleyan University where he graduated with a degree in music in 1965. Jim taught music at various schools in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota for several years before the corporate world came calling.

Jim worked for AT&T in Minneapolis, Kansas City, and New Jersey for several years. Jim moved back to Brookings in 2012 and lived there until late 2023 when he moved to Sioux Falls.

Jim spent many years working on family genealogy along with his mother. They traveled to various small towns across the United States to learn information about their family members. Jim also enjoyed working with various types of puzzles and he loved anything to do with music, whether listening or participating.

Jim is survived by his sister, Lois (Ken) Corliss of Scappoose, OR; and his brothers, Al Cochrane of Bennet, NE, David (Betty) Cochrane of Richmond, VA, and Gene (Mary Lou) Cochrane of Galesburg, IL; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins around the country.

The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.