Jake W Cottrell

Jake W. Cottrell went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday January 9, 2016. Jake was born September 18, 1935 in Oklahoma to Lawton C. Cottrell and Edna Stevens Cottrell. He married his high school sweetheart De Elva Winkles June 1, 1956. Jake grew up in Oklahoma, California, and Holliday, Texas. He graduated Holliday High School in 1953. He attended Tyler Jr. College and North Texas State University on football scholarships and graduated with an education degree. He received his masters degree in school administration from Sul Ross State University.

Jake coached and taught in Mineral Wells, Breckenridge, Wheeler, Quanah, Uvalde and Holliday influencing the lives of many students. He completed 35 years as a coach, teacher, principal and superintendent in Texas public schools.

Jake was the baseball coach at Mineral Wells and restarted the Holliday baseball program where his teams won three district championships. He was head football coach at Wheeler, Quanah and Uvalde compiling a record of 39-30-4, winning one district championship at Wheeler and two zone championships in Uvalde. The 1974 Uvalde team had a perfect 10-0 regular season.

Jake was the first principal at Holliday Middle School and served as superintendent at Holliday ISD. He also served on the Holliday School Board and Holliday City Council.

After retirement he was the principal of Big Pasture School in Oklahoma for two years. He had a second career working for Bobby Evans Sporting Goods as a salesman for 20 years.

He was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church Holliday. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the budget and finance committee, and as a “self- appointed” greeter.

He enjoyed hunting, golfing, and his grandkids who loved calling him “Papa Jake”.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents Lawton and Edna Cottrell, sister Wylia Holt.

He is survived by his wife De Cottrell, sister Geraldine Addison and brother-in-law Bill Holt. He is also survived by son Rod Cottrell, wife Becky of Snyder, Tx., daughter Carla Mankins, husband Joel of Windthorst, Tx., six grandchildren Jake Cottrell, wife Rachel, Allison Cottrell and Trent Cottrell, Jerod Mankins, wife Devynn, Derek Mankins and Andrea Mankins, and three great grandchildren.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was loved by all making each one feel unique and special.

Services will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at First Baptist Church Holliday with Brother Darryl Sewell officiating. Burial will follow at Holliday Cemetery. Vistation will be at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home on Monday evening from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Holliday Building Fund, Box 687, Holliday, Tx. 76366, Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Rd. Wichita Falls, TX 76310 or the American Cancer Society.