Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Obituary for Hershal Durwood Cochrum

Hershal Durwood Cochrum
July 6, 1935 - March 10, 2022

  Funeral services for Hershal Durwood Cochrum are pending at Bowers Funeral Home 
in Teague.
  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.