John Guy Cochrane

John Guy Cochrane of Kirksville, MO passed away Sunday morning, March 29, 2026 at University Hospital in Columbia, MO. 

He is survived by his wife, Christina, of the home, sons David of Mexico, MO, and Doug (Jill) of Downers Grove, IL . Also surviving is a granddaughter, Natalie.

John was born on October 7, 1946 in Sioux City, IA to Hortense and Charles Cochrane.  He was a graduate of Marathon High School, Iowa State University, and Northeast Missouri State (Truman State) where he received a master’s degree in Sports Administration. 

On June 1, 1979 John married Christina Allen in Des Moines, IA. John was in the coaching field for over 40 years, including time in Williamsburg, IA where he began the girls’ cross country team. He taught middle school math, as well as coaching the girls’ track team. The athletes and relationships he built there were always special to John. Prior to Williamsburg, he was a teacher and coach in Colo, IA. In 1980 John and Christina moved to Kirksville, where he was a graduate assistant at Northeast while coaching women’s track and field. He eventually took over as head women’s track and field coach, later becoming the head men’s coach as well. On an interim basis, he also served as athletic director for one year. John continued on with coaching until retirement in 2013.

Coach Cochrane was humble about his coaching career, and never wanted accolades for himself. It was always about the athletes, and their accomplishments. He took great joy in keeping track of former athletes, often visiting with them by phone, and keeping up with their lives and their children. The passion Coach had for track never diminished, as he followed every college meet on his iPad, as well as high school and middle school events. He had the ability to recall every athlete that had crossed his path in the 40 years he was coaching, as well as records that were set. John was a five-time conference Coach of the Year recipient, and was also named Regional Coach of the Year by the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the NCAA II cross country coaches for his contribution to the sport, as well as recipient of the NCAA II Track Coaches Distinguished Service Award. In 2013 John was inducted into the Missouri Track & Field/Cross Country Hall of Fame. Coach Cochrane was devoted to the track and field facility improvements at Truman State. He oversaw the conversion from a cinder track to the all-weather track, as well as creating a throw field. He was the meet director at the Truman Open Track & Field meet for several years. 

We are forever grateful to family, dear friends and neighbors who helped with Christina’s back and forth transportation to Columbia during this difficult time. Your kindness will be forever in our hearts. John has given the gift of sight through a cornea donation. The data base had a match, so his generosity and goodwill will live on. May his memory be a blessing. 

John continually expressed that he did not want any kind of memorial service, so we are honoring his wishes. Donations may be given to Truman State Track & Field (track foundations account), or the Adair County Humane Society.