Carl Richey "Cotton" Cordell Jr.

Carl Richey "Cotton" Cordell Jr. passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, January 6, 2015, surrounded by family and loved ones. The only child of Carl, Sr. and Alice (Barnes) Cordell, Cotton was born December 9, 1928, in Benton, Arkansas, and resided there until 1945 when his dad moved the family to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Cotton married his childhood sweetheart, Erma Lee (Rothenberger) Cordell on September 16, 1949. In enlistee in the United States Air Force, Cotton was honorably discharged in 1953 after serving his country during the Korean War. Cotton's life was one spent in service to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a church deacon for over 40 years and a charter member of Hot Springs Baptist Church. Cotton served on the Ouachita Baptist University Board of Trustees. A designer of fishing lures, Cotton created and established Cordell Tackle, Inc., the largest fishing tackle manufacturer in the world at the time it was sold in 1980. Though a dedicated and hard-working man, he always said that he never worked a day in his life. Cotton was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (1987), Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame (1997), and Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (2002). He was a Mason 32nd Degree. Cotton is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Becky Cordell of Hot Springs, Ark.; a daughter and son-in-law, Tracie and John Morrow of Little Rock, Ark.; five grandchildren - Kristin (Arthur) Camp, Cari Cordell, Stacie Cordell, Jonica (Allyn) West, and Ryan (Rachel) Morrow; and three great-grandchildren - Madelynn Hollenbach Cordell, Meredith Hollenbach Cordell, and Colton John West; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife. Visitation will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, at Hot Springs Baptist Church, and the funeral service will follow at noon. Pappy (as known by his grandkids) will be laid to rest beside the love of his life Erma in New Rosemont Memorial Park Cemetery in Benton, Ark. Pallbearers will be Ryan Cordell Morrow, Randy McDonald, Chris McDonald, Kelly Jennings, Rodney Jennings, and Joe Williams. The Cordell family would like to say a special thank you to Hospice Home Care, numerous loving caregivers, Marni Keck, and the doctors and nurses at CHI St. Vincent that have cared for him over the years. Memorials may be made to the Cordell Chapel Endowment at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71998 and Hot Springs Baptist Church, 144 Weston Road, Hot Springs, Ark. 71913. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.