Condolences extended to family and friends of retired SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor Mike Cochran

July 25, 2019
Mike Cochran is shown above with a group of his former students. This was one of the last field trips that he took with students before his retirement in 2012.
Mike Cochran is shown above with a group of his former students. This was one of the last field trips that he took with students before his retirement in 2012.

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford and the South Georgia Technical College faculty and staff were saddened to learn of the airplane crash that claimed the life of retired Aviation Maintenance Instructor Mike Cochran.

    “On behalf of everyone at South Georgia Technical College, I would like to extend our condolences to the family and many friends and colleagues of Mike Cochran. We were saddened to hear of his loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected,” said President Watford.

   Mike Cochran retired as an aviation maintenance instructor at South Georgia Technical College in 2012. He spent over 27 years working as an instructor at the college and was a second generation graduate of South Georgia Tech. He earned his Electronics Technology Degree from South Georgia Tech in 1978 and worked for Williams Office Equipment, Southern Bell Telephone Company and Storer Cable Communications Company before accepting a position as an Electronics Technology Instructor at South Georgia Tech in 1985.

   While he was an electronics instructor, he earned his Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionics Diploma. In 2003, he became an Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionics Technology instructor at South Georgia Technical College and held that position for nearly 10 years.

   In addition to his South Georgia Technical College education, Mike earned his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Avionics Maintenance Technology from Georgia Southwestern State University and then he graduated with honors from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Technological Studies in 2008. He earned licenses/certifications from the FAA in Airframe and Powerplant. He was an FAA certified private pilot and was licensed by the FCC. He also had the NOCTI Electronics Technology certification and is IMACA Air Condition certified.

   He is survived by his wife Nancy, and his two daughters, Kelly Bazemore and Katie French and their families.