Jack Cottrell

Jack Cottrell

1930 ~ 2017

Charles John (Jack) Cottrell was born September 18, 1930.  He passed away April 29, 2017, at home with his family by his side, at the age of 86.

Jack was born to Charles Layton Cottrell and Leah Perry Cottrell in Salt Lake City.  He was the fourth of four children.  Two died as infants.  He attended Uintah grade school in Salt Lake City and it was there where his love for music and America had its beginning.  He played his drum each morning for the raising of the flag and it had a profound impression on him.  He attended Granite Jr. and Granite High schools and was involved in their orchestra and band programs.   He graduated from high school in 1948. During his high school years he began playing in a dance band and continued playing for some 20 plus years.  Jack attended the University of Utah where he excelled as a drummer in the University of Utah marching band.  He graduated from the University in 1953.

Jack met his future wife, Karla Gilbert, on the football field at the University of Utah.  She was also a drummer.  They married May 8, 1953 in the Logan Temple.  They have three children; Mark, Jill and Jan.  Jack spent 40 years as a salesman for Sweet Candy Company.  He worked the Salt Lake City area as well as Southern Utah, Las Vegas and parts of Arizona.

Jack served his country in the 96th Division Army Reserve unit for nine years (part of the time during the Korean War).  He became Master Sergeant of Headquarters Company.

Jack became interested in scouting when he was called as Cubmaster.  His interest continued for over 50 years as he helped young men achieve their scouting goals.  Over 50 of his young men became Eagle Scouts.  Through the years, Jack served on the Great Salt Lake Council in various capacities.  He completed his Wood Badge training in 1967.  Jack was the recipient of many awards including Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Explorer Keys; The Silver Beehive, Silver Beaver (1971) and the 50 year service pin.  The motto he lived by was; “A HUNDRED YEARS from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the cost of the house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove.  But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a boy.”

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  In addition to working with the young men of the church, he also served as Elders Quorum President, Stake High Council member and counselor in the bishopric.

Building and repairing things was his second nature.  He built a cabin on the Provo River, helped build his home in Kayenta and turned his cabin at Bear Lake into a bit of paradise.  Jack loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, landscaping his yards, golfing, wildlife and the beautiful world our Heavenly Father created.  Most of all however he loved his family.  Preceded in death by his parents and brother Bill.

Survived by his wife Karla; Mark (Celeste) Cottrell, Fruit Heights, Utah; Jill (John) Peay, Boise, Idaho; Jan (Steve) Porter, Centerville, Utah; 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Stone Creek Chapel, 1476 North 300 West, Bountiful.  Friends and family may visit Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at the church and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.  Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.