DECEASED ALUM: BRYANT COCHRAN, FHHS CLASS OF 1968

Bryant James Cochran

August 31, 1950 — April 14, 2026

Alexandria, Virginia

Bryant James Cochran, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on April 14, 2026, at the age of 75.

He was born in Arlington, Virginia, on August 31, 1950, to Burton Floyd Cochran and Anne Bryant Cochran. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister, Janet Hollier Cochran who passed December 16, 2020.

Bryant Cochran grew up in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. He graduated from Fort Hunt High School in 1968. While in high school, he played the oboe in the school band and drums in a band called The Regression, which he founded with fellow students from Fort Hunt. The band did well and was even featured on a local television show.

Bryant continued to play drums in local bands throughout his life and was the featured entertainment at his 40th and 50th high school reunions. He was active in Fort Hunt High School alumni activities and helped organize events, including the annual picnic, where he served as grill master from time to time.

He also attended the University of Maryland, College Park.

Bryant opened a restaurant in the Washington, DC, area and later started Yard Angel, a successful local lawn service company with many clients in the Mount Vernon area. Among his friends, he was known for his knowledge of current and historical events, as well as for the perspective he brought to discussions. He had a delightful sense of humor and enjoyed evenings with friends at local restaurants and pubs.

He was devoted to his two dogs, Sophie and Winston, who were his loyal companions for more than ten years.

Bryant is survived by his loving cousins, Keith Cochran of Statesville, North Carolina (and his wife Kathy), Kevin Cochran, of Augusta, Georgia, Karen Clark (and her husband Stan) of Topeka, and other extended family. He also leaves behind dear friends in Alexandria, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his cousins Curt Cochran, Ken Cochran and Steven Cochran as well as loving grandparents Floyd and Elma Cochran and aunts and uncles Leland and Maxine Cochran, and Clayton and Norma Cochran.

Bryant was cremated. A memorial ceremony celebrating the lives of Bryant and his sister, Janet Cochran will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Parker Price Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. Private family inurnment will be at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to: https://www.stjude.org/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

- Thank you, Metta Myers (FHHS '71) for providing Bryant's Obituary

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Email Message from Doug Clark, FHHS '68 on April 16, 2026

FHHS '68 Classmates:

Some of you already know that our classmate, Bryant Cochran, passed away from smoke inhalation as a result of a fire in his home in Stratford Landing on Monday. His two beloved dogs, Sophie and Winston, also perished in the fire. We are still trying to gather additional details about the incident. Bryant grew up in this area and I know there are those of you who have known him since elementary school. 

I first got to know Bryant when he was the drummer for the Regression, a FHHS band that he founded.  He continued to play in bands and was the drummer for a current local group.  You may recall that he supplied the live music for our 40th and 50th reunions along with our classmate, Chris Van Cleave. 

Bryant was a loyal Federal who regularly participated in FHHS Alumni activities including the annual picnics.  When we know more about a possible memorial service, I will share those details with you. In the meantime, please feel free to share your memories about Bryant.

Doug Clark, FHHS '68