Pam Cochrane was born in Eureka on November 13, 1948 to Everett and Bette Watkins. She passed on from her home in Roseville, California on November 14, 2018, after a courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.

Pam spent her formative years and early adult life in Eureka attending local schools, and graduated from Eureka High School known as an excellent student, star multi-sport athlete, and fierce competitor. She attended College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University before joining the business office at College of the Redwoods as an accountant. Her career in accounting spanned nearly 40 years culminating with her being elected as Lake County Clerk Auditor Controller for four terms in office. She received numerous awards from the State of California for excellence which she always attributed to her staff in the Auditor’s Office.

Pam married James “Sham” Cochrane on July 23, 1977 and they raised three children Skip, Kristie, and Corey in Kelseyville. Family was first, second, and always on her list of priorities. She loved playing all sports, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Shasta, Little River, Virginia Beach, The Caribbean, and travelling with family.

Pam is survived by her children, Gerald “Skip” L. Hunter III (Lorrie) Pollock Pines, CA, Kristie Stogner (Adam) Virginia Beach, VA, Corey Cochrane Roseville, CA, husband James “Sham” Cochrane Roseville, CA, mother Bette Watkins-Merklin and husband Phil Merklin Eureka, CA, brother Ray Watkins (Gwynn), Park City, UT, in laws Tim and Marie Cochrane and Family, Ettersburgh, CA, Leslie and Dennis Burchfield and Family, Rio Dell, CA, Cyndee Cochrane and Family, Fortuna, CA. Grandchildren, Treven Hunter, Girdwood, AK, Tyler Hunter, Cameron Park, CA, Arianna Cochrane, Roseville, CA, Chiara, Cameron, and Cayden Stogner, Virginia Beach, VA. Also a large, much loved number of extended family and friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life, Saturday, November 24th, at 1600 Sunset Drive, Eureka, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name at www.HDSA.org.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Pam Cochrane’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.