Cottrell of Dover, DE was born at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY on December 9, 1927. John passed away at the age of 88 on December 24, 2015. John retired from the Air Force after proudly serving 30 years.
[private]A former resident of Hoosick Falls and West Hoosick; John was the eldest son of Raymond and Evelyn Bowers Cottrell. He graduated from Hoosick Falls High School, class of 1946, and later graduated from SUNY – Plattsburg.
He was drafted into the US Army in November of 1951 serving in Germany as a company clerk in the 4th Division. Upon discharge he served one year inactive duty in the Army Reserve.
He joined the U S Air Force in November 1954 and retired as Senior Master Sergeant in November of 1980. He served at Shaw AB, South Carolina, Wiesbaden AB, Germany, Dover AFB, DE and Norton AB, California.
He also had eight years of duty in the Office of Special Investigations, Washington D.C. His last tour was eight years at Rhein Main AB, Germany.
He was a member of the processing team for the various evacuees from Iran including the hostages. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, four Commendation Medals, the Humanitarian Medal and others during his career.
He was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church of Dover and a former member of Hoosick Falls and West Hoosick Falls Baptist Churches. John was a former member of the National Grange and is a member of the Town of Hoosick Historical Society. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America in Germany, Delaware, California and Oregon. He was very interested in Genealogy.
He is the beloved husband of Virginia, loving Pop of John Raymond (Mary Pat), Scott Warren (Michelle), Betsy Lanphier Dupert (Steve) and James Bowers (Pam) proud Pop Pop of Steven Dupert, Samantha Walters, John Cottrell III, Mary Hannah Cottrell, Sarah Cottrell, Jack Cottrell and Madeline Cottrell. Two great-grandchildren, Aden and Austin Dupert survive him. Dear brother of Paul and Carl Cottrell.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Ave., Wyoming DE 19934. Interment took place at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE.
Memorials may be made to Maranatha Baptist Church, Dover, DE. Letters of condolence and sympathy may be offered at www.pippinfuneralhome.com.[/private]