Fredric Ralph Cottrell, 86, formerly of Conway Springs, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at Oxford Grand Assisted Living in Wichita.

Fred was born on May 16, 1940, in Wichita to Eugene Everly Cottrell and Louella Pauline (Anstine) Cottrell. He moved with his family to Hays and later to Ellinwood, Kan. He graduated from Ellinwood High School with the Class of 1959. Fred continued his education at Kansas State University on a baseball scholarship. In 1965, he served as an assistant athletic director while attending Kansas State. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Fred married Sharon Marcene (Mason) on June 2, 1969, in Liberal. Together, they had three children, Brent, Michael, and Connie. He later married Janie Viola (Kerr) on May 16, 1980, in Wichita, and welcomed her four children, Dana, Danny, Travis and Jamie, into his life.

Fred’s love for teaching and coaching was evident throughout his remarkable career, which spanned more than 52 years. He began his career in 1966 in Frankfort, Kan., where he taught and coached baseball, and won his first State championship. From 1968 to 1970, he taught and coached in Victoria, Kan., before moving to Liberal, where he taught and coached basketball at Seward County Junior College from 1970 to 1972.

In 1973, Fred began teaching and coaching football, basketball, and track in Douglass. He retired from Douglass after 25 years in 1997. Later that year, he moved to Conway Springs, where he taught and coached football and track for another 20 years, from 1997 to 2017. Fred and Janie moved to Wichita in 2018.

Fred was a member of Conway Springs Methodist Church.

Throughout his distinguished coaching career, Fred was associated with 12 State titles and five State runner- up finishes spanning six consecutive decades. He coached approximately 1,400 varsity athletic contests and served as both a head coach and assistant coach more than 52 years. He coached football for 52 years, track and field for 43 years, basketball for 29 years, baseball for six years, and cross country for two years. His many honors included being named Class 2A Girls Track Coach of the Year in 1987 and AFLAC National Coach of the Year in 2002. In 2009, he was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Fred served as chairman of the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association in 1970. He later served as an executive officer of the Kansas Coaches Association from 1989 to 1999, including four years as second vice president and six years as first vice president.

In 2019, Fred was inducted into the Kansas High School Activities Association Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Douglass Activities Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class in 2020.

Fred’s longevity and dedication made a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people. He considered himself a teacher first and viewed athletics as an extension of his calling as an educator. His charismatic personality, personal magnetism, and genuine commitment to his students and athletes made a difference in the lives of so many. His legacy will live on through the generations of students and athletes he inspired, taught, and mentored.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, and his grandson, Jesse Williamson.

He is survived by his wife, Janie Cottrell, and their family: Brent Cottrell (Kim), Michael Cottrell (Stacee), Connie Bodine (Wayne), Dana Chamberlin (Brian), Danny Crews, Travis Crews, and Jamie Mies (Andrew). He also leaves behind 28 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, numerous other relatives, and many dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, at Pathway Church, 2001 N. Maize Road, Wichita. A graveside committal service will follow at 2:30 p.m.at Resthaven Cemetery in Wichita.

Ebersole Mortuary, PO Box 156, Conway Springs, KS 67031, is in charge of arrangements. An online guest book and a place to leave condolences are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

Memorial contributions have been established to benefit the Conway Springs High School Athletics Department and the Douglass High School Athletics Department.

Fred’s dedication to education, his passion for coaching, and his unwavering commitment to young people defined a lifetime of service. He will be remembered not only for his many championships and honors, but also for the countless lives he touched along the way.