Stan L. Cottrell, Sr. 65, of Arkoma, OK, passed away on Friday January 23, 2015, at his home after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born to Ernest and Emily Cottrell in Fayetteville, AR on July 11, 1949. He was of the Presbyterian faith. He was a good friend to many, always ready to help others and never expecting anything in return. He was a graduate of Waldron High School in 1967 and the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR, and held a Masters in Education Degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Mr. C, as he was fondly called by his students, began his career teaching and coaching in Heavener, OK and taught for 30 years at Arkoma Public Schools. Following his retirement from teaching he worked at the Janet Huckabee Nature Center until he became too ill to work. He was elected to the Arkoma City Council in 1976 and was still serving as a Councilman at the time of his death. He also served as Vice Mayor. He was Chairman and board member of the Leflore County 911 System, the southeastern Oklahoma Library Board and was a member of the Leflore County Retired Teachers Association and Democratic Party of Leflore County. He served as Building Chairman for the construction of the Arkoma Public Library and was a member of Poteau Masonic Lodge #46 and was a 32nd degree Mason. He enjoyed many Saturday nights at Tri-State Speedway, riding his motorcycle and 4-wheeler and trips to Branson. He is survived by his brother Doug Cottrell and wife Karen of Van Buren, AR, his sister Joy Haley and husband Clyde of Little Elm, TX, his nieces Kathryn Martin and husband Joel of Springfield, MO, and Julia Johnson and husband Preston of Little Rock, AR, and special friend and caregiver Carolyn Pugh. Stan’s pallbearers will be Butch Johnson, Eddie French, Roger Brigance, Nolan Branscum, Danny Hale, Howard Cagle, Shawn Valentine and Buck Thigpin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Danny Hammond, Gerald Phillips, Haskell Blake, Jack Thacker, Chubby King, Dale Cottrell, John Locke, Tommy Smith, Town of Arkoma Employees, Arkoma Public School employees past and present and former students. Services will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 11:00 Am at Arkoma Elementary Gymnasium with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery with full Masonic Rites. Visitation will be Monday, January 26th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Grace Manor Funeral Home Poteau. Services are under the direction of Grace Manor Funeral Home Poteau, OK.

Memorial can be made to Poteau Masonic Lodge # 46 PO BOX 642 Poteau, OK 74953 of St. Jude’s Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142, in Stan’s memory.