Alter Lee Cochran

On Friday morning July 24, 2025, at 7:24 am, Command Sergeant Major Alter L. Cochran rose up to join his beloved wife Glenzerline Cochran. He was 94 years old.

Alter was born in Headland, Alabama to Eliga Cochran and Gussie Lee Robinson on December 4, 1930.

Alter Cochran attended Newville, Rosenwald High School in Newville Alabama. When the school closed prematurely, the students were offered a choice: take a certification test, or transfer to a new school.

Alter chose to take the test and passed, receiving a letter of recommendation in May 1947. That same year and at the age of 16, he started at Alabama State College for Negros, attending from December 1947 to May 1949. Afterwards, Alter enlisted into the Army on July 18,1950 and would serve for thirty years, until September 30, 1980. This consisted of many tours of duty: One in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, two in Korea (one during the Korean Conflict), and three in Germany. He also served as a US Army ROTC Instructor at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and as a Command Sergeant Major at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Alongside his tours of duty, Alter continued to further his education, studying at Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and later at Ladycliff College in Highland Falls.

Throughout both his studies and his military career, Alter excelled, accumulating not only a Bachelor of Science degree and certification in Business Management, but also a myriad of military commendations. Including: Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal with Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver and two Bronze Service Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and numerous foreign service and service awards.

Not only a patriot, but active in his community as well, Alter served as the President of the Highland Falls Lions Club, later acting as Treasurer and Secretary of the Board of Directors for the West Point Federal Credit Union. Alongside this he was a member of the VFW and American Legion. Alter was also the first Black Employment Program Manager for Blacks in Government (BIG). As a member of these institutions, Alter guided the implementation of the BIG/FEEA scholarship program and coordinated BIG’s support for the Tuskegee Airmen and Buffalo Soldiers local chapters. For his support he was nominated to receive the BIG Distinguished Service Hall of Fame Award.

And if all of this weren’t enough, Alter at the age of 21, managed to find the time to fall in love, marrying the 18-year-old Glenzerline Feggins on November 22,1952 in Fort Gaines, Georgia. They remained together until her passing on November 29, 2019, a week after their 67th anniversary.

Alter is preceded in death by his wife, Glenzerline Cochran, brother Cecil Cochran and two of his five sons, Rory Cochran and Aldous Cochran.

Alter is survived by his sons and their wives, Craig and Renee Cochran, Shelton and Sheelah Cochran and Cedric and Shakila Cochran, and daughter-in-law Sherrie Cochran. He is also survived by his younger brother Billy Allen and grandchildren, Tara Cochran, Rory Cochran Jr., Shelton Cochran II, Mariah Cochran, Cedric Cochran, Jr., Christian Cochran, Dion Cochran, Kazimir Koch-Cochran, Kaelan Koch-Cochran, Katriana Koch-Cochran, Jada Cochran, Cody Cochran, Chloe Cochran, and Kyrie Cochran, great grandchildren, Jaylon Cochran, Hunter Cochran, Aiden Cochran, and Elliot Rose Cochran. He is also survived by Yancy Cochran, Machi Porter and Douglas Gibson.

Memorial services will be held at twelve to one pm, with Reception immediately following from one to three pm, on August 16, at Davis Funeral Home Rainbow Chapel, with the Bishop Dr. Hemphill officiating. Arrangements are by Davis Funeral Home.

The family of Alter L. Cochran wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Mountain View nurses and doctors who assisted Alter, especially Dr. McDonald. We would also like to thank RN, BSN Cindy Barr and Nailia Doneen of Caring Hands Hospice.