Gerald Cotney

Gerald Cotney, age 63 of Gillette, WY, died Saturday, August 23, 2025 at his home with his loving family by his side, following a courageous fight against cancer.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 11am Friday, August 29, 2025 at the chapel located in Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette WY. Arrangements are with Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche SD. Friends may leave written condolences and view a video tribute online at: www.LeveringtonFH.com

Donald Gerald Cotney was born February 16, 1962 in Healdsburg, California. He was the oldest of four children born to Donald and Rose (Brown) Cotney on February 16, 1962, in Healdsburg, CA. Gerald spent his childhood in California and Nevada. He attended Burney High School in CA, exiting his senior year to join the workforce. Gerald worked in many different manual labor professions which eventually moved him to Wyoming. He enjoyed his time working in the trees, driving trucks, and took special pride in being a superior scraper operator. Gerald was disabled from a workplace accident in 2010.

Gerald welcomed his first son Jeff in 1984 followed by second son Jerry in 1985 and a daughter Sabrina in 1998. Gerald “found the right one” and on September 24, 2016, married Lisa and in doing so created their own “Brady Bunch” welcoming three stepdaughters Brittani, Nicole, and Haley. Gerald was a loving husband and proud father, but his greatest role was Grandpa/Pops/Papa to his 10 grandchildren and one due in February.

Gerald was an adventurer who loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Keyhole Reservoir was his favorite place to camp and fish. He loved sharing his time there with family and with the help of his favorite fishing pole Trusty was determined to never be out fished. He was an avid 49ers fan that loved his wife enough he set up a second television during football season to watch her Broncos when his team was playing too. Gerald loved NASCAR and scheduled his availability around races. His favorite drivers, Greg Biffle #3 and Joey Logano #22, would have him hollering at the television most races. Gerald was an honest man who had no problem telling you his opinions and thoughts. He was the first to help when he could and did so often. In August of 2024, Gerald was diagnosed with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Throughout his fight against cancer, he never stopped fighting, and had never lost hope.

Gerald will be missed by his loving wife Lisa Cotney, Gillette, WY; his children Jerry (Cassie) Cotney, Mexico, MO, Sabrina (Alex) Edwards, Grand Junction, CO, Brittani Buckner, Nicole Dvorak, Haley (Aarron) Fernald, all of Gillette, WY and daughter-in-law Amber Cotney, Gillette, WY; grandchildren Hunter and Payton Cotney, Linda Lou and Douglas Cotney, Trenton and Layton Fernald, Kamdyn Buckner, and Montana, Pierce, and Weston Edwards (with one on the way). He is also survived by his mother Rose Cotney, Gillette, WY; siblings Emit (Theresa) Cotney, Laramie, WY Phillip Cotney, MT, Julie Land, Gillette, WY; and several nieces and nephews.

Through leaving this earthly world Gerald was reunited with his son Jeff Cotney and Father Donald Cotney.