Obituary for Howard P Cotner
Howard Paul Cotner, 85, longtime Altus resident, passed away August 8, 2011 in Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma.
He was born August 10, 1925 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Hugh Henry and Wilma Clare (Bodenhamer) Cotner. After living in Waurika a few years, his family moved to Altus in 1938. After graduating high school, he attended The University of Oklahoma where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism in 1948. He returned to Altus and started the Jackson County Abstract Company. He owned and operated this venture until selling it in 1999. He served as president of the Oklahoma Land Title Association in 1968 and 1969. He was a past-president of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, the Altus Kiwanis Club, and Lt. Governor for the Kiwanis. He served as Oklahoma State Representative for 26 years. During his tenure, he only faced two opponents. He was known in the House for his honesty and integrity and was deeply committed to serving his District 52 constituents of southwest Oklahoma. He stood his ground for what he believed was true and fair, even crossing party lines to follow his beliefs.
He married Vonnie Robbins and they were the proud parents of three children, Steve, Kathy and Debbie. He later married Helen Gaddy who preceded him in death in 2006. He had a great love for his family and his community. He loved Jackson County history and devoted much of his time to the Museum of the Western Prairie. He loved old cars and restored Model T cars and trucks. He was inducted into the WOSC Hall of Fame.
Howard is survived by three children: Steve Cotner and wife, Cindy of Moore, Oklahoma, Kathy L. James and husband Barry of Altus, Oklahoma, and Debbie Perkins of Norman, Oklahoma; one step-daughter, Patti Harris and husband Ron of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, April Cotner Preston and husband Shannon, Curtis Cotner, Michael P. Payne and wife Shari, Marc D. Young, Amber Utterback Roberts and husband Sean; step-grandchildren, Mary Gaddy Ellis and husband Justin, David Harris and wife Beth, Alan Harris and wife Rachel; 12 great-grandchildren; two cousins, Tom Cotner and Bob Bodenhamer.
Services have been scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Player officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow at the Restlawn Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will receive guests Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:00 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorials can be made in Mr. Cotner"s name to the WOSC Foundation, the Museum of the Western Prairie or the Charity of your Choice. On-line tributes can be made to the family at www.lowell-tims.com
08/12/2011
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
Visitation
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
08/13/2011
10:00 AM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
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He was born August 10, 1925 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Hugh Henry and Wilma Clare (Bodenhamer) Cotner. After living in Waurika a few years, his family moved to Altus in 1938. After graduating high school, he attended The University of Oklahoma where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism in 1948. He returned to Altus and started the Jackson County Abstract Company. He owned and operated this venture until selling it in 1999. He served as president of the Oklahoma Land Title Association in 1968 and 1969. He was a past-president of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, the Altus Kiwanis Club, and Lt. Governor for the Kiwanis. He served as Oklahoma State Representative for 26 years. During his tenure, he only faced two opponents. He was known in the House for his honesty and integrity and was deeply committed to serving his District 52 constituents of southwest Oklahoma. He stood his ground for what he believed was true and fair, even crossing party lines to follow his beliefs.
He married Vonnie Robbins and they were the proud parents of three children, Steve, Kathy and Debbie. He later married Helen Gaddy who preceded him in death in 2006. He had a great love for his family and his community. He loved Jackson County history and devoted much of his time to the Museum of the Western Prairie. He loved old cars and restored Model T cars and trucks. He was inducted into the WOSC Hall of Fame.
Howard is survived by three children: Steve Cotner and wife, Cindy of Moore, Oklahoma, Kathy L. James and husband Barry of Altus, Oklahoma, and Debbie Perkins of Norman, Oklahoma; one step-daughter, Patti Harris and husband Ron of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, April Cotner Preston and husband Shannon, Curtis Cotner, Michael P. Payne and wife Shari, Marc D. Young, Amber Utterback Roberts and husband Sean; step-grandchildren, Mary Gaddy Ellis and husband Justin, David Harris and wife Beth, Alan Harris and wife Rachel; 12 great-grandchildren; two cousins, Tom Cotner and Bob Bodenhamer.
Services have been scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Player officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow at the Restlawn Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family will receive guests Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:00 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorials can be made in Mr. Cotner"s name to the WOSC Foundation, the Museum of the Western Prairie or the Charity of your Choice. On-line tributes can be made to the family at www.lowell-tims.com
08/12/2011
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
Visitation
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
08/13/2011
10:00 AM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
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