Sam Ray Cottrell

Sam R. (Michael) Cottrell passed away November 10, 2011 in Durant at the age of 75 years. He was born May 8, 1936 in Ryan Oklahoma to James Monroe Cottrell and Maudie Myrtle (Bartram) Cottrell. Sam graduated from Ryan High School, he attended Murray State College and graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education. He married Virginia E. Mitchell in Ryan, OK on February 9, 1957. Sam was a Game Warden with the Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation. He started his career in January of 1967 and spent the first 7 ½ years in Cleveland County then the remainder of his career in Bryan County until his retirement in June of 1998. Sam served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids, was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, he loved playing dominoes, researching family history, collecting arrow heads, hunting, fishing, gardening and he could do anything with his hands. He also loved his dogs. He is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Lester, Chester, J.B. and Junior, one sister Irene Hill and granddaughter Kaila Stubbs. Sam is survived by his wife Virginia Cottrell of the home, son Randy Cottrell and wife Carla of Shawnee, OK, daughter Christie Stubbs and husband Dan of Healdton,Ok., two sisters Mary Lois Horn of Oklahoma City and Pansy Rich of Comanche, OK, one brother Jack Cottrell of San Diego, CA, six grandchildren Jeremy, Aaron, Terah, Kara, Ryan and Danyka and twelve great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at St. Williams Catholic Church with Father Valerian Gonsalves officiating. Family hour will be 3-4 PM Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Brown’s Funeral Service. Interment will be held at 3:30PM, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Ryan Cemetery in Ryan, OK with Aaron Cottrell, Jeremy Stubbs, Ryan Cottrell, Joel Medcalf, Danny Clubb and Bucky Rhodes serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Catherines House, Salvation Army or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service Durant. PDF Printable Version

Sam Ray Cottrell

May 8, 1936 - November 10, 2011