John Cogdill

Chadron, NE

1934?, Unknown,

April 4, 1913 - March 26, 1998

Services for John Cogdill, 84, of Chadron were Monday, March 30 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chadron, with Pastor Peter Bertram officiating.

Mr. Cogdill was born on April 4, 1913 to Homer Otis and Alida (Younglove) Cogdill at the family farm southeast of Chadron. He died March 26 after a short stay at Crest View Care Center in Chadron.

Mr. Cogdill attended the Lockett School 1/2 mile south of his home completing the eighth grade, He attended Chadron High School for two months dropping out to help his father with the family farm. At the age of 16, because he felt that the farm could not provide support for the family, John left Chadron to find employment. He "rode the rails" for about three years traveling to Montana, Idaho, and many other states. John worked for a time in Hazard, Ky. as a coal miner. He eventually returned to Chadron and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After that, he began work at the Chadron Grain and Coal Company.

In 1938 he married Alta Mae Neely and moved back to the family farm to work with his father. He worked the farm full time until 1965 when he began hauling brick for a construction company that was working on the Armstrong Building at Chadron State College. John eventually became employed by Chadron State College in its maintenance department retiring in 1978 as the grounds supervisor.

After his retirement John remained active in farming, and owned, trained, and raced quarter horses. On July 4, 1978 his horse, Batchalito, won the Nebraska Bred Futurity of two year olds. John continued to own several horses until his death. His love of horses and horseback riding was something he shared with many of his friends and members of the family.

In 1996 John and Alta Mae moved to Prairie Pine Lodge where they enjoyed an active social life with the other residents.

John was baptized and confirmed as a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in February,1957 and was a past member of the American Quarter Horse Association.

He is survived by his wife Alta Mae of Chadron; sons Charles Vernon of Riverton, Wyo., Terry Ross of Lincoln, and Rex John of Chadron; sister Agnes Bilyeu of Chadron; 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Don, Clyde, Lee, Cleo and infant sister Byrl.

Memorials may be made in John's name to the Chadron State College Foundation or Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

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