Alan E. Cochran, 40, died Thursday, November 25, 2010 at his home in Sturgis.

Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis.

The service will be held Monday, November 29, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Fox officiating. Burial will follow at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Alan Earl Cochran was born on October 12, 1970 to the late Earl (Bud) and Evelyn Cochran in Deadwood, SD.

He attended the Whitewood School in his elementary years and then graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1988.

In 1992, he married his high school sweetheart and best friend Nikole (Brown) Cochran. They remained happily married for the next 18 years and resided in Sturgis. He had two wonderful children who thought the world of their dad. Katelind, 14, and Kameron, 11.

He was a great guy who enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids and making the most out of life. Among his many interests were watching Nascar, fishing, riding his Harley, coaching basketball for his son's team and the outdoors, whether it was going to the lake, a water park, or just hiking and enjoying the Black Hills. He also enjoyed loud rock music and relaxing with friends as well as being a bit of a prankster just to enjoy watching them smile. He thrived on proudly watching his children excel at sports, school, and life. The four of them were a team that never went unnoticed by friends and family. He loved easily and made many friends over the years.

He excelled at anything he did and lived life to the fullest, always with a smile and a big heart to lend to others. He was loved by so many people.

After high school he worked for Jacobsen Tire and Exhaust and then began his career as a well-known alignment technician at Rapid Tire and Alignment in Rapid City. He worked for a brief time for Pepsi and as a route salesman for Harkers Food Company which he thoroughly enjoyed. He then worked at Mr. Tire in Sturgis for many years, first as the alignment tech and later as the location manager. His coworkers and customers thought very highly of him and learned many things from someone with a work ethic that could not be surpassed by anyone. He was well-respected and loved by many people both in Sturgis and areas of the Black Hills.

He is survived by his wife and two children who will miss him greatly; his mother Evelyn; five sisters, Patsy (Mike) Storhoff, Nome, ND; Roxie (Loyd) Edwards, New Mexico; Belva (Cliff) Staley, Belle Fourche; Cheryl (Jim) Palo, Newell; Pam Cochran, Gillette, WY. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as countless friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Bud Cochran; and one brother, Leroy as well as his grandparents.

Alan was the kind of guy who could make you smile no matter what and loved his family with his whole being. He will be greatly missed by anyone who was fortunate to have known him.

An educational memorial has been established at First Interstate Bank to benefit his two children.