Long-time Raleigh County Memorial Airport manager Tom Cochran has died at the age of 86

Tom Cochran, the longtime manager of Raleigh County Memorial Airport in Beckley, died in Georgia on Sept. 9 at age 86. The article says Cochran grew up in Appalachian coal country watching aircraft and later “mined the skies” to bring opportunities to his hometown. After retiring as airport manager, he was inducted into the West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2023. While leading the airport, his vision helped it receive formal “AEROready Community Certification.” Colleagues and officials highlighted Cochran’s role in economic optimism and community development, including airport and county property improvements. Friends noted his aviation training at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his 24 years as director for BKW. He also earned the Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Award.