Howard O. Cottrell, 83, of Poca, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 19, 2016 peacefully after a brief illness.

He was born April 4, 1933 in Rock Branch, the son of O.B. and Cecil Cottrell. For most of his early years Howard was raised in Dunbar and graduated from Dunbar High School where he played football. His senior year yearbook described him as "wild and wooly". He loved getting together with his fellow Dunbar Bulldog Alumni.

Howard served in the United States Air Force and in the West Virginia Air National Guard for a total of 38 years of active duty service and was deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After retiring from the service Howard worked part-time for City National Bank in Cross Lanes as well as Lilly and Ranson Electric.

He was a long time member of the Masons, the American Legion and an avid member of the West Virginia Air National Guard Retiree Association where he thoroughly enjoyed get-togethers with his many friends and fellow Guardsmen.

Howard's hobbies included midget car racing and he really enjoyed both WVU and Marshall football. In his later years, Howard and Helen closely followed Poca High School basketball and attended many home and playoff games.

Howard and Helen attended Cross Lanes Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Youth Sunday School teacher for many years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracey Jo; half-brother, Leonard Lanham; and his aunt and uncle, Clara and Walter Davis.

Howard is survived by the love of his life, Helen, who he was married to for 58 years; daughters, Teresa Holloway and husband, John, of Hurricane, Tonya Merida and husband, Paul, of Stafford, Va.; grandchildren, Lindsey and husband, Jared, of Charleston, Lauren and fiancé, Mark. Of Greenville, N.C. , Anthony, Daniel and Lucas of Stafford, Va.; and one great granddaughter, Henley of Charleston.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 23, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church with Pastor Brandon Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.