Artie Cleo Cotner, Jr.

May 26, 1940 - July 3, 2020

Artie Cleo Cotner, Jr., 80, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 2018, formerly of Augusta, GA, passed away Friday, July 3, 2020 in Fort Myers, FL. He was born May 26, 1940 in Booneville, AR to Artie and Vera Comeau Cotner, now deceased.

Artie was of the Christian faith and served in the United States Army for over 20 years. Additionally, Artie was a Vietnam Veteran where he served a one-year tour. He was very proud of his service to our country obtaining awards and badges during his time and for that he will always be remembered. After retirement from the military Artie went on to become a long-distance truck driver throughout the United States with 20 years of safe driving and service to his company. Artie enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren all of whom he cared deeply for. He also was an avid storyteller and could recount every city he visited and added his own anecdotal information which was a joy to listen to by those who knew him.

He is survived by two loving children, Patricia Walls (Tony) of Germany, and Tracy Elmore (Bryan) of Cape Coral; eight grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, Kristina Gillott, Thomas Hundley, Mia Walls, Wendy Walls, Casey Walls, Michaela Cotner, Meghan Cotner, Kristopher Feldbusch, Cody Elmore and Kane Elmore; as well as two great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren, Emmy Gillott and Ariana Hundley, Brayden Elmore and Archer Elmore.

Artie was preceded in death by his wife, Marita L. Cotner in 2007; as well as a daughter, Sandra Labrensz.

Formal funeral services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, date and time TBD.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Artie Cleo Cotner, Jr. are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th Street, Ste. 920, Kansas City, MO 64111.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Patricia Walls Aug 23, 2020 at 10:00 am

    To my Dad,
    I cannot believe you are gone. You were one of the kindest and most selfless human beings that I have ever known. Thank you for always being the best father any girl could have ever wanted. My life was made better because of you, and It breaks my heart to have to say goodbye. I know how much you missed Mom and how happy you can now both be to celebrate eternity with Sandra together. Know that I will think of you always, and remember you with so much love and appreciation. Rest well, Dad.
    With all of my love,
    Your daughter, Pat

  2. Wendy Walls Aug 28, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    Grandpa,
    Spending time with you was always fun and I will forever remember and cherish those times that we spent together. Thank you for giving me so many great memories while growing up. I’ll miss you deeply, rest in peace.
    Love,
    Wendy

  3. HEIDI GALVIN Aug 28, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    I had the honor of meeting Mr Cotner years ago when Tracy needed help getting him to the airport for a flight to DC. I saw the need and offered to help and am so blessed with so many memories from his stories about his family and his jobs. He ABSOLUTELY loved his family and serving his country. His grandkids made him the proudest and he spoke so highly of Tracy and her journey of raising her 2 girls single handed, a very proud Dad he was. I shall forever remember our many conversations to/from the airports as he spoke so highly of his family, jobs, and life. He so reminded me of my own father, in so many ways. He will be remembered and loved for his kind, gentle ways.

  4. Mia & Wendy Walls Aug 29, 2020 at 7:45 am

    Dear Grandpa,
    We will miss you. We will especially miss the new email notifications. It was always great to read a new one of your emails to see old pictures and learn more about your life, what you did that day, or even how the weather was in different places.
    You were the best grandpa we could have asked for.
    We love you,
    Mia & Wendy

  5. Michaela Cotner Aug 30, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    Grandpa,
    There’s so much I’m going to miss about you, but I know you’re in a better place. A place where you can play Dr. Mario again (after Grandma is done playing for a few hours, of course. Tell her I say hi and that I miss her immensely <3) I’m going to miss getting emails from you about anything and everything and hearing your stories about being on the road and all of the places you visited.
    I love you so much.

    Love,

    Micha aka Mischa aka Misha

    P.S. Whichever way you spelled my name was always the right way:) <3

  6. Tony Walls Aug 31, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Artie,
    You were a wonderful Father-in-law. When we would visit, I loved to talk with you about the Army and places you had been. I tried to go to each place you mentioned and report back the way I found it all those years later. I also loved the old pictures you emailed. They were a window to the past which you loved to answer questions when I would ask. I don’t know if you knew it or not but, you were the only person who ever emailed me on a regular basis and I truly miss that. Artie you are missed.

    Love,
    Tony

  7. Tina Gillott Dec 3, 2020 at 11:42 pm

    Dear Grandpa:

    It’s hard to find the words to say how much you mean to Emmy and I. You are such a kind soul and I’m so grateful to have had you as a grandpa and great-grandpa to my daughter.

    You were an important part of my life from the time I was born. I’ll never forget the little presents you used to bring back from your trips for us. Whether it was “porcupine eggs” or a “can of air” from some far away part of the country, I always cherished and appreciated your thoughtfulness and sense of humor. 🙂

    I hope you know that I appreciate everything you did for me. You took care of your entire family, and worked hard all of your life to make sure we all had a roof over our head, food in our mouths, and presents under the Christmas tree.

    I’m so grateful that Emmy gets the honor of sharing a birthday with you. Please know that as we are celebrating each year we are celebrating your birthday too.

    Please give grandma and Sandra a big squeeze for me. I miss all of you so much. I know you’re all looking after us and hope you’re having fun up there.

    Life’s not going to be the same without you. I looked forward to your emails – they always made me smile.

    Thank you for being the best grandpa anyone could ask for. We love you so much.

    Tina & Emmy

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