AMARILLO, TEX – Virgil L. “Dink” Cottrell was born Jan. 12, 1935, in Vilas, Colo., in his parents home to Virgil and Opal Thompson Cottrell. The family moved to Montrose, Colo., where Dink graduated from high school. He passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2014, in Amarillo, Texas.
The family had a rodeo stock contracting business and produced professional and amature rodeos in Western Colorado. As a teenager, his father was in poor health and most of the responsibility of putting on the rodeos fell on his shoulders. He also started producing junior rodeos for boys ages 12 to 18. This caused him to be featured in a nationally syndicated publication called The American Magazine that wrote a brief article on his rodeo background.
Following graduation from high school, he enrolled in college at Colorado State University. Dink was a member of the CSU rodeo team competing in the calf roping and steer wrestling events. It was there that he met the love of his life, Nona Painter. Nona also attended CSU and was a member of the rodeo team.
After graduating college, Dink and Nona were married on June 29, 1958, in Belle Fourche, S.D. They moved to Eads, Colo., where Dink began his first job as a county extension agent. His two children were born in Eads, Brad Cottrell in 1959, and Debbie Cottrell in 1961.
In 1963, the family moved to Albuquerque, N.M., and Dink began his career as a real estate appraiser and agricultural real estate lender. He continued to compete part-time at the professional rodeos in New Mexico and Colorado until his children got older and began competing in junior rodeos themselves. He quit competing to provide the support and resources necessary for his children to compete.
Dink enjoyed his work but his passion was the cattle business. He made many lasting friendships from the New Mexico ranchers that he bought cattle from. He had the reputation of being very knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Dink and Nona retired and moved to Canyon in 1995 to be closer to their children and grandchild. Dink began team roping again and continued to rope and stayed active in the cattle business until the last few months of his life. He was a lifetime member of the United States Team Roping Championships and participated in team roping events all across the country. He was known far and wide for the unlit cigar in his mouth that became his trademark. He leaves a lasting legacy, many friends and he will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Nona Cottrell; a son, Brad Cottrell; a daughter, Debbie Cottrell; and granddaughter, Shaye Albert.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to West Texas A&M Rodeo Scholarship Fund, WTAMU P.O. Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016; or American Cancer Society, 3915 S. Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109.