Gerald C. Cottrill

Gerald Cottrill peacefully passed away after a long illness at 7:01AM December 5th, 2021 in Dayton, OH.

Gerald was from humble beginnings. He was the first-born son of Carl Cottrill, IV and June Davenport. Our first home was a single wide trailer on Minnequa Avenue in Canton, PA. When he was old enough, he worked on several of the farms near our home in Windfall, PA. Gerald was a member of the National Honor Society and was a Letterman and Cross-Country. He was a math genius and took college courses at Mansfield University while in high school. He graduated from Troy High School and enrolled in West Virginia University's Aerospace Engineering program. While at WVU, Gerald started Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps where he attained the rank of Cadet Flight Leader and graduated Summa Cumme Laude. Gerald also completed his Masters Degree with honors at WVU after accepting an officer's Commission with the United States Air Force. Gerald then was accepted into the Air Force Institute of Technology where he earned his Ph.D. He was the first in our family to earn a Ph.D. and was legitimately the smartest person in the room most of the time. Gerald travelled the world with the Air Force and served our county with honor and distinction. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel prior to retirement. Gerald was not done with the Air Force even as the active duty chapter of his life ended. He continued to serve his country and his beloved Air Force as a civilian Systems Engineer.

Despite being born in Pennsylvania, Gerald was West Virginian Mountaineer at heart. After his working years, he planned to return to Wild and Wonderful WV.

As his little brother, Gerald was my guardian angel, he once saved my life when I suffered a heat stroke in a pool. He was my best friend and confidant. He was a mentor, teacher, and life coach. He acted as a buffer between me and our sometimes abusive father. We spent countless hours together listening to music while doing our school work in high school and college. Gerald was an avid cyclist and built many custom bicycles himself. He taught me how to build personal computers. He was absolute tech junkie and always had the latest phones and gadgets.

Gerald was preceded in death by our Father in 2004. He is survived by me, his little brother Carl Cottrill, IV of Pomfret, VT, his sister Lora Prisock of Greensboro, NC, his sister Laura Morgan of Jupiter, FL, his Mother, June Davenport of Mount Wolf, PA, and his much beloved sons Craig and David.