Earl Edward Cottrell

Earl Edward Cottrell was born October 28, 1922 to Joe and Eliza Clawson Cottrell. He went to rest on September 26, 2009 at Portneuf Medical Center, with his family by his side.

Earl was born in Downey, Idaho and obtained his early education there. His family later moved to the Lost River Valley, where he finished the eighth grade. It was here where he met his first wife, Mary Catherine Reay. They were married in 1943 and had 2 sons, Robert Earl and Aaron Kim. Earl and Mary later divorced.

In 1985, Earl met and later married Alese Burnside. And during their remaining years together, they enjoyed traveling, fishing, and their families.
Earl was a member of the U.S. Army Infantry Corps and fought in the conquest of the Philippines' where he obtained the rank of Corporal. He was later transferred to the Quartermaster Corps during the occupation of Japan where he remained until he was honorably discharged in 1946.

Upon returning to civilian life, he farmed in the Lost River Valley until 1955, at which time he moved to Pocatello, where he joined the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths, Local #182. As a boilermaker welder, he traveled throughout the western states, until his retirement in 1983. Once he retired, he became a full-time fisherman, his life-long dream.

Survivors include his best friend and spouse, Alese Burnside; a son, Robert (Merry) Cottrell of Pocatello; a sister, Harriet (JD) Wallace, of Pocatello; a granddaughter, Heather (Brian) White, of Winnemucca, NV; a granddaughter, Kirsten Cottrell, of Pocatello; 1 great-grandson, and 2 great-granddaughters. Earl also has 5 step-children and several step-grandchildren.

Earl is preceded in death by one son, his parents, four sisters, and three brothers.

The family would like to thank the City of Pocatello Fire Department, EMT's, and Portneuf Medical Center Emergency Room staff for their care and concern during our time of grief.