The Honorable Richard Jordan “Joe” Cochran passed away peacefully on September 20, 2024, with his wife and daughter by his side, after a long and courageous battle with ALS. He was 60 years old.
Richard Jordan “Joe” Cochran
Joe was born in St. Louis, Missouri, raised in Fultondale, Alabama, and graduated from Fultondale High School in 1982. Joe moved to his wife’s hometown of Pinson, Alabama when they married in 1991, and he quickly became a treasured neighbor and friend to many in the community.
Joe worked at NCP Solutions in Birmingham for 35 years. He held numerous roles as he worked his way up in the company, from pressman to upper-level management. After the City of Pinson was incorporated in 2004, Joe was elected to its first ever city council, and he continued to serve in that role until 2016. Joe was elected mayor of Pinson in 2020 and served in that role until his passing.
Joe was a selfless public servant who dedicated decades of his life to the service of others. Joe was an active volunteer, fundraiser, recruiter, and coach for all Pinson athletics programs. No job was ever too big or too small for Joe to handle, and you could find him doing everything from cutting grass, coordinating team travel to away games, and even setting up the fields before games. Joe also served 14 years as Board President of the Pinson Softball League, and coordinated the city’s acquisition of the Pinson Youth Sports Complex.
During Friday night home football games, his booming voice and good humor could be heard for miles as he shouted, “Third and Tapawingo!” from the press box. And when he retired as The Voice of the Valley in October 2022, the school unveiled the new Joe Cochran Press Box named in his honor.
Joe always had the remarkable vision to look ahead and see what Pinson could become, and he worked tirelessly to accomplish things that others couldn’t believe were possible. Just a few of his many accomplishments and contributions include proposing the tax plans which directly funded the creation of Bicentennial Park, instituted an annual gift of $50,000 to Pinson schools (which was later increased to $100,000), funded full-time Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the city, and generated the revenue necessary to save the Rock School and renovate the city library.
Joe also served for many years as the Executive Director of the Pinson Education Foundation, where he coordinated the acquisition and gifting of tens of thousands of dollars to Pinson students and educators.
Joe used every single gift he was given by God, and his loss leaves a void that no one person could ever fill.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Odom Cochran; father, Larry Allen Cochran; brothers, Larry Allen Cochran Jr. and Jimmy Cochran; and nephew, Allen Cochran.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, June Henry Cochran; his daughter, Brooke Layton Messina (Chad); brother-in-law, Jimmy Henry (Dana); nephew, Hunter Henry (Mackenzie); nieces, Brytnee McClendon, BreeAnna Coe, and Meredith Cochran; and many other beloved family members and dear friends.
The family would like to thank Joe’s many beloved caregivers who helped throughout the duration of his illness, especially Tarnise Small and Tamika Lutin.
There will be a visitation on Saturday, September 28 from 9-11 a.m., followed by a funeral and celebration of life from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Services will take place at The Cathedral of St. Paul, 2120 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you contribute to Pinson schools.
