Funeral services for Hershal Durwood Cochrum, 86, will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at the chapel at Union Cemetery near Freestone.
There will be no visitation.
Mr. Cochrum, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Carrolton.
Durwood was born July 6, 1935, in Teague, Texas, to William Garnett and Lois Viola Christian Cochrum. He grew up in Teague and graduated from Teague High School in 1953. Durwood married Billie Ann McNutt on June 16, 1956. He worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad system for many years. He began his career with the railroad in 1956, as a yard clerk in Corsicana. He rose through the ranks holding positions in Lubbock, San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth. Throughout his prestigious career, Durwood held many titles including Land and Tax Commissioner for the State of Texas, Senior Tax Agent for Texas, Manager of Property Taxes for Texas, Colorado and New Mexico and finally before his retirement, he held the position of Director of Property Tax responsible for handling property taxes in 23 states.
Durwood was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his life spending many cherished hours at the deer lease in Fredericksburg, and bay fishing in Port O’Connor. Also, during retirement Durwood and Billie Ann were active members of the North Richland Hills Riding club.
Durwood is survived by his brother-in-law, Bill McNutt & wife Tina of Grapevine; nephew, Will McNutt and wife Eboni of Spring; nephew Garnett Cochrum of Waco; niece, Jamie Cochrum Beard and husband Scott of Groesbeck; great-nephew, Dylan Cochrum and wife Justina O’Connell of Donie; great-great nieces Harper and Harlin Cochrum of Donie & great-great nephew Jesse Beard of Groesbeck.
Durwood was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Billie Ann McNutt Cochrum; parents, Garnett & Lois Cochrum; his mother and father-in-law, William & Mable McNutt; nephew, Kyle McNutt; and brother and sister-in-law, Troy & Mary Cochrum.
The family requests that memorials in Durwood’s name can be made to your local ASPCA at www.aspca.org.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.
