Darrel Cotter

Darrel Lynn Cotter

August 8, 1958 - August 8, 2017

Darrel Lynn Cotter was a very kind man, that had a way of making conversation with anyone he came in contact with. Darrel became friends with strangers just about everywhere he went and those friendships just blossomed over the years. Darrel’s number one thing in this world was his friends and family. Darrel especially took to children. He would always play with the kids, have them on his shoulders no matter how bad his back was hurting, taking them for walks, teasing them, playing with them, and just having a good time with them as often as he could.

Darrel has a grandson John Henry that passed away in March of 2016. He was always out visiting John Henry at his memorial. Darrel would come home and tell Mom that he was out visiting with John or that he went out and had lunch with him. He loved getting fences for John Henry’s memorial as well as lights to keep it lit up throughout the night. He sure did love all of these kids and John Henry was no different even though he was not here physically. We know that he is up in heaven enjoying time with John Henry now just as he did here on earth with the others.

Darrel loved all of his kids and grandkids so much and would constantly brag about them every chance he could. His birthday wishes every year was to spend time with his friends and family. This year was no different. Darrel got up and went to work and spent time with his good friend Joe and when he got off work he was able to go to dinner with his wife and grandson and then went for a short walk. After the walk, Darrel decided to take a nap. He did not wake up from this nap and started his heavenly birthday.

It's never fun to say goodbye as it's hard to let go of the ones we love. However, we get to celebrate both his birthday and his heavenly birthday on the same day now. He is now able to celebrate with those that have left before him. He is no longer in pain and has plenty of family and friends that are there to party with him until we are all there with him again. I know that Darrel is looking down just as proud as can be on all of us wanting us to be happy and celebrate his life in a positive way. He has got to know how loved he was here on earth as he is just as loved there in heaven. He will certainly be missed but he will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his wife Debbie Cotter, six children Angie Kirby, James (Amber) Kirby, Brittany (Chris) Davies, Dustin Cotter, Brandy (Matt) Rushton, Colby Leavitt, and 12 grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents Irene Mae Rawlings and Daniel Raymond Cotter, three brothers Dan Cotter, Dwayne Cotter, David Lystrip, and grandson John Henry Kirby.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Peel Funeral Home, 8525 W. 2700 S., where a viewing will be held Saturday 12-2 p.m. prior to services. Graveside service will be held 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Taylorsville Cemetery, 4500 S. Redwood Road.

If you would like to help the family with the costs of the funeral you can donate to the Darrel Cotter Memorial Fund at Mountain America Credit Union. Thank you in advance.