“He has fought the good fight, he has passed the test”. Ralph L. Cottrell, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully January 10, 2019 from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was born on May 16, 1930 in Kaysville, Utah, in the little house he was raised in, to Ralph Layton Cottrell and Vera Estella Layton Cottrell.
He married Luda Lee Robinson of Logan, Utah on June 22, 1956 in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dad’s priorities in life were his Savior, his sweetheart, his family, and his country. He was an educator for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He received his Doctorate degree from U.S.C. in Education, and taught Seminary and Institute for over 30 years. He served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He also served his community as a City Councilman for 12 years and then as Mayor of South Ogden City for 2 years.
While Mayor, he was honored to use the golden shovel to break the ground in preparation for the Newgate Mall located in South Ogden. Dad said many times that he wanted to “tithe” 10% of his life to the Lord. He served a mission to the Great Lakes area from 1950 to 1952, and then served 4 missions with mom: Philippines Cebu City (Mission President), 1990-1993; Philippines, Manila (MTC President), 1995-1997; Salt Lake City LDS Church Offices (Missionary Dept), 1998-2000; Hawaii Laie Visitors Center (Director), 2003-2005.
He was also active throughout his life in his wards and stakes. He served in many capacities including High Councilor for 12 years and Bishop of the 80th Ward in South Ogden. His greatest joy was making sure our mother’s every need and want were taken care of.
Every coat, every door, every chair was held for her by our dad. Each day he would give her a hug and kiss in front of the kids and say, “Do you know how much I love your mother? ” He kept a daily journal for most of his life, and was a voracious reader.
He was an expert in many subjects. He had a very forgiving heart. If something was not quite right, he was the first one to extend the olive branch.
He and mom had a wonderful tradition of holding hands and giving each other a kiss after every prayer. We consider the legacy of his good name to be one of the greatest gifts that he has given us. We will treasure and honor his name throughout our lives.
He is survived by his sweetheart, Lee, of South Ogden, Utah; three children, Ralph “Layton” (Patricia) Cottrell, III, Kaysville, Utah; Tracy (Max) Pendleton, Roy, Utah; Brad (Suzette) Cottrell, Kaysville, Utah; 16 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Nel Cottrell, Salt Lake City, Utah, Cleta Bassett, Logan, Utah; brother-in-law El Ray (Carol) Robinson, Hyrum, Utah. Preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Frank, three sisters and their husbands, Helen (Joe Peart and Doug) Nelson, Ruth (Walt) Doman, Anne Hackley. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Ogden 8th Ward, 720 Nancy Dr., South Ogden.
Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.
Ogden, Utah where military honors will be accorded.
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