Marion M. Cottrell

Marion M. Cottrell, age 86, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away October 13, 2015. He was born September 12, 1929 in Capulin, NM, the son of Marion Madison and Florence A. Ratliff-Cottrell. After his graduation from Des Moines high school, he attended the University of New Mexico obtaining both a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering. After additional studies at the University of California - Berkeley, Marion was a professor of Civil Engineering at UNM from 1960 till his retirement in 1994. At UNM he was actively involved with the Faculty Senate for many years. This interest in policy and politics later thrust him into local politics where he served as an Albuquerque City Councilor from District 9 from July 1974 till November 1981, serving as the president of the city council in 1980 and 1981. Following his two terms on the city council, he ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 1981. Later, he served on the Bernalillo Country Commission from Jan. 1, 1982 to Dec. 31, 1986 and then served on the Bernalillo County Planning Committee as well as other numerous committees. Marion was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 49 years, Barbara Cottrell; four sisters, Birdie Fern Cottrell of Raton, NM, Mrytice Singer of Sewickley, PA, Winnie Bryant, of Pasadena, TX, and Marilyn, his twin, who died in childbirth; two brothers, Willie Cottrell of Des Moines, NM and Paul Cottrell of North Port, FL. He is survived by his sister, Pauline Blasingame and husband, Hicks, of El Paso, AR; brother, Howard Cottrell and wife, Paula of Albuquerque, NM; son, Bruce Cottrell and wife, Kim Meadows of Santa Fe, NM; daughter, Anne Garcia of Albuquerque, NM; grandsons, Nathan Garcia, and Phillip Garcia, and wife, Courtney; and great-grandson, Connor, all of Albuquerque, NM. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 17, 2015, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UNM Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund.