Bobbie Ray “Popeye” Cotrel Sr., 76, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at Texas County Memorial Hospital.
He was born March 24, 1932, in Competition, son of Phillip Edward and Leta Miniza Waterson Cotrel. He married Barbara McKay.
After graduating from Competition High School, he worked as a diesel mechanic for Safeway in Blue Springs from 1960 until he retired in 1993. He was known to his co-workers as ‘Honda Bob.’ His friends called him ‘Popeye.’ He would dress up as the character at children’s birthday parties. He loved motorcycles, guns and dancing.
He served as a Navy Seal in the U.S. Navy from Aug. 1,1952, until he was honorably discharged Sept. 8, 1957, with the rank of Seaman 2nd Class Bossun Mate.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bonnie J. Murphy.
Survivors include a daughter, Debbie Bailey of Independence; a son, Bobbie Ray Cotrel, Jr., of Odessa; six grandchildren; four great-grandsons; a special friend, Cledith Green of Strafford; five brothers; Phillip Cotrel Jr. of Falcon, John Cotrel of White Pigeon, Mich., Victor Cotrel of Elkhart, Ind., and Darrel and Dewayne Cotrel of Georgia; and a sister, Euna Kalina of Vandalia, Mich.
A memorial tribute will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at American Legion Post # 41 of Houston. It is under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Bobbie Cotrel Memorial Fund, c/o Evans Funeral Home, 224 S. Grand Ave., Houston, Mo. 65483. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.
