Gerald Ray Cottrell, a former resident of Claremore, Oklahoma passed away, Friday the 26th of May in Fruitvale, Texas at the age of 78. He was born March 8, 1939 in Oklahoma to Lillard & Dovie Cottrell. 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, Oklahoma and was highly respected by his students. Jerry or Jesse, as his close friends called him, was also a highly talented artist and excelled in oil paintings of nature and wild life which he loved. Dogs were also a special part of his life and his constant companions that he loved to spoil.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillard and Dovie Cottrell, his wife, Alice Claudette "Claudia" Cottrell, his daughter, Connie Lynn Cottrell-Dismuke, and his son, Jerry Ray Cottrell. Also, by his three brothers, Charles Cottrell, Lloyd Cottrell, and Jimmy Cottrell.
Gerald is survived by three grandchildren:
Alisha Eslinger & husband William of Fruitvale, Texas,
Amber Lynn Ennis of Tulsa, Oklahoma,
Deziray Germany of Las Vegas, Nevada,
and five great grandchilden.

Also, survived by his two life long friends:
Lum Newberry of Beggs, Oklahoma
Richard Cross of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Integrity Chapel with Rev. Jack Vance officiating. Interment will be in Westlawn Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.