Gerald Ray Cottrell, a resident of Claremore, died May 26 in Fruitvale, Tex., at the age of 78. He was born March 8, 1939 in Oklahoma to Lillard and Dovie Cottrell. He was an engineer and draftsman and had taught drafting for a time at a Tulsa College. He graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1957 and shortly thereafter joined The United States Navy. He served honorably as a Navy veteran at the beginning of the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his military duties he trained as an engineering designer and worked for various companies in the Tulsa area. Being at the forefront of the computer age, he spent several years as an instructor teaching Auto-cad computer drafting at Platt College in Tulsa,
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Alice Claudette "Claudie" Cottrell, a daughter Connie Lynn Cottrell-Dismuke, also by a son, Jerry Ray Cottrell.
Gerald is survived by three grandchildren: Alisha Eslinger and husband William of Fruitvale, Amber Lynn Ennis of Tulsa and Deziray Germany of Las Vegas, Nev.; five great grandchildren; brother, Richard Cross of Broken Arrow; also by his two life long friends: Lum Newberry of Beggs, and Richard Cross of Broken Arrow.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Integrity Chapel. Interment will be in Westlawn Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.