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Gary was born on July 11, 1948 in West Plains, Missouri. His family lived in Arkansas where he spent the first few years of his life. His family moved to Wasco, California where he began working in the fields with his father at age 11. Gary spent the remainder of his child hood in Wasco and went on to graduate from Wasco High School in 1967. In 1968 Gary joined the United States Army and was stationed in Vietnam. During the Vietnam conflict Gary was the Chief Door Gunner aboard a Huey Helicopter. After his time in Vietnam Gary returned to Wasco where he began what would become a long and rewarding career as an independent welder. Gary welded in multiple locations in and around the Taft area oil fields.
Gary met Doreen Cotter on January 19, 1998. Gary and Doreen had an instant connection and were married on December 9, 2000. Gary and Doreen bought a home together in Dustin Acre’s where Gary enjoyed working in his yard. Gary was a Man’s man; a real outdoor enthusiast who loved riding horses, camping, fishing and riding his quad and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Gary was a dog lover as well. Gary was well known to take a quad ride with his dogs trotting along by his side. Gary enjoyed camping so much that even during the workweek he would hook up the camping trailer, load Doreen and camp for a week at a time. Gary also enjoyed barbecuing for the family. Gary was very happy and at ease when family, grand kids and friends would stop by to visit. Gary joined and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Valley Acres where he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and was baptized.
Gary passed away on January 7, 2012 at home with loved ones at his bedside. Gary is preceded in death by his father, Elvis Cotter and his mother, Agnes Cotter. Gary is survived by his wife Doreen Cotter, son Eric Cotter and wife Heather and their children Madeline Cotter, Kaitlyn Cotter, and Brady Cotter all of Fullerton, Ca; son Luke Cotter of Wasco, Ca; stepson Shad Reeves and significant other Kim, William Matthew Reeves, Kiersten Reeves, Alyssa Reeves, Caiden Whittaker, Dylan French and Skyler French all of Taft, Ca; stepson Scott Reeves and wife Amber of Taft, Ca; stepdaughter Sandra Buddell and husband Bill and their children James”Jimmy” Buddell, Charles “Chucky” Buddell and Danny Buddell all of Taft, Ca; sister Janice Cotter of Madera, Ca; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Gary will be missed and memories of him cherished by family and friends.
Viewing will be on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 1 – 9pm at West Side Memorial Services, 1150 4th St., Taft.
Graveside services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012.
Gary was born on July 11, 1948 in West Plains, Missouri. His family lived in Arkansas where he spent the first few years of his life. His family moved to Wasco, California where he began working in the fields with his father at age 11. Gary spent the remainder of his child hood in Wasco and went on to graduate from Wasco High School in 1967. In 1968 Gary joined the United States Army and was stationed in Vietnam. During the Vietnam conflict Gary was the Chief Door Gunner aboard a Huey Helicopter. After his time in Vietnam Gary returned to Wasco where he began what would become a long and rewarding career as an independent welder. Gary welded in multiple locations in and around the Taft area oil fields.
Gary met Doreen Cotter on January 19, 1998. Gary and Doreen had an instant connection and were married on December 9, 2000. Gary and Doreen bought a home together in Dustin Acre’s where Gary enjoyed working in his yard. Gary was a Man’s man; a real outdoor enthusiast who loved riding horses, camping, fishing and riding his quad and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Gary was a dog lover as well. Gary was well known to take a quad ride with his dogs trotting along by his side. Gary enjoyed camping so much that even during the workweek he would hook up the camping trailer, load Doreen and camp for a week at a time. Gary also enjoyed barbecuing for the family. Gary was very happy and at ease when family, grand kids and friends would stop by to visit. Gary joined and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Valley Acres where he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and was baptized.
Gary passed away on January 7, 2012 at home with loved ones at his bedside. Gary is preceded in death by his father, Elvis Cotter and his mother, Agnes Cotter. Gary is survived by his wife Doreen Cotter, son Eric Cotter and wife Heather and their children Madeline Cotter, Kaitlyn Cotter, and Brady Cotter all of Fullerton, Ca; son Luke Cotter of Wasco, Ca; stepson Shad Reeves and significant other Kim, William Matthew Reeves, Kiersten Reeves, Alyssa Reeves, Caiden Whittaker, Dylan French and Skyler French all of Taft, Ca; stepson Scott Reeves and wife Amber of Taft, Ca; stepdaughter Sandra Buddell and husband Bill and their children James”Jimmy” Buddell, Charles “Chucky” Buddell and Danny Buddell all of Taft, Ca; sister Janice Cotter of Madera, Ca; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Gary will be missed and memories of him cherished by family and friends.
Viewing will be on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 1 – 9pm at West Side Memorial Services, 1150 4th St., Taft.
Graveside services will be held at 1pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012.
