Cochran had three children, two daughters from his first marriage, Tiffany and Melodie and a son Jonathan with a former partner Patty Sikora. A few weeks after the surgery, he“Certainly, Johnnie’s career will be noted as one marked by ‘celebrity’ cases and clientele,” his family said in a statement after his death. Johnnie Cochran died on … "He had an infectious spirit," said Dale Cochran of Los Angeles, the widow of Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., the lawyer who died in 2005. He graduated […] Johnnie Cochran, the lead attorney for OJ Simpson during his murder trial, ... Sylvia Dale, and three children. His funeral is Saturday, May 5, in Los Angeles. And now the chief is gone.Cochran, a native of Caddo Parish and father of the lawyer who helped O.J. "Guidry credited Cochran and his son Johnnie Jr. for helping the Caddo Community Action Agency raise money to support its social services such as Head Start.Johnnie Jr. traveled to Shreveport to speak at an agency gala in 1995, accompanied by his dad. '"Cochran was born in Caspiana, snug along the Red River in southeast Caddo Parish, to Hannah and Alonzo Cochran. He was preceded in death by his wife of Cochran is survived by his wife, Sylvia Dale Mason Cochran; his father, Johnnie L. Cochran Sr.; his daughters, Melodie T. Cochran and Tiffany K. Cochran Edwards; his son, Jonathan E. Cochran; and his sisters, Pearl Cochran-Baker and Martha Cochran Sherrard. His father, Johnnie Sr., was an insurance agent with Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company, while his mother, Hattie, sold Avon products. "During his visits, Guidry said, the senior Cochran visited with his many relatives in the Shreveport area and attended services at the Little Union Baptist Church, where he maintained membership for many years despite living in California.The Cochrans are related to some Caddo Parish residents who spell the name differently, as "Cockerhem," Guidry said. “But he and his family were most proud of the work he did on behalf of those in the community.”Another member of Simpson’s legal team, his friend He was later married to Sylvia Dale Mason. In time, he became an executive with responsibility for training new agents, Dale Cochran said.Dale Cochran said her father-in-law trained many, many young insurance agents, many of whom went on to found their own insurance agencies.After retiring, he continued to work in insurance consulting, real estate sales and estate planning.His wife died in the early 1990s. The younger Cochran spoke for free and then donated cash, Guidry said, and later persuaded other celebrities to headline agency galas.Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles.© 2020 www.shreveporttimes.com. A year later, he went to work for the Louisiana Industrial Life Insurance Co. selling insurance to the company's black clientele.Dale Cochran said her father-in-law held vivid memories of his early work as an insurance salesman. ... We affectionately called him 'chief. Powered by Johnnie Cochran, the lead attorney for OJ Simpson during his murder trial, died in 2003 of a brain tumor. He was then married to Sylvia Dale from 1985 until his death. Johnnie met his second wife, Dr. Sylvia Dale Mason, at a conference where he was a commissioner at the airport. Cochran attended public schools and distinguished himself through his academic achievements. She said Friday that she still owns the home.Besides his son Johnnie Jr., the senior Cochran's child RaLonzo also has died. "Senior came back to Shreveport every year up to his 90s," said Laurance Guidry, president and CEO of the Caddo Community Action Agency and a friend of the Cochran family. (Getty)Cochran underwent brain surgery in April 2004, months before his death. Johnnie Jr. and Dale Cochran later bought that house. Johnnie Cochran's first wife was Barbra Berry whom he married in 1960. Johnnie Cochran Sr., father of deceased attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr., left, and his daughter-in-law, Cochran's wife, Dale, leave the Cathedral following funeral services for the junior Cochran.