Paul C Cothrel

Paul C. Cothrel, affectionately known by family and friends as “PC”, died on Feb. 6 at the age of 85. Born in Toledo on Nov. 21, 1932, Paul spent his childhood known as Paul Brown and Paul Racheter, living in various orphanages and foster homes. He was a proud graduate of Miami Children’s Home and St. Anthony’s Orphanage. Following his graduation from Central Catholic High School he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Bowling Green State University. Paul found great enjoyment in working with children in grades K – 8 as a classroom teacher, and later as a principal and coach. He met his future wife while teaching in Mason, MI where he was known for using the playground as his classroom. He spent much of his long career with the Evergreen Local School District as principal at Fulton, Chesterfield, Lyons, and Metamora schools. He had an amazing memory for names, and always enjoyed seeing former students. When reminiscing, past students always seemed to admit that they had earned any unconventional discipline that PC was known to impose. Paul was later elected to serve on the Evergreen School Board. Throughout his career, PC took advantage of many opportunities to play football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and golf both on his own and with his students. He enjoyed an extraordinary life and sporting career despite suffering from cerebral palsy since birth. He was a formidable softball pitcher known for making fans and opponents alike wince when he would field the ball bare handed, and he continued to golf until recently when his health forced him into unwilling retirement from the links at Old Pines. A consummate role model and mentor, PC taught, coached, and inspired countless young people over the decades and took great pride in helping each person achieve their best. In addition to serving as a teacher and coach, he frequently stepped forward to fill vacancies serving local youth organizations including 4-H and the Cub Scouts. He was also a proud member of the Lion’s Club and a veteran Sunday School teacher at Grace Lutheran Church. His love of sports and teaching was equaled by his love of books and family, and he will be missed as a father, uncle, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years Janet (Smith) Cothrel and by his mother Helen (Racheter) and step-father Tom Cothrel. He is survived by sons Steve (Michele), Tim, and Andrew (Janette) and beloved grandchildren Amanda, Lucy, Grant, Helen, Sophia, and Cormick, other family, caregivers, and many friends. Visitation will be at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave (west of Corey Rd) on Friday Feb. 9 from 5 – 8 PM, and at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo on Sat. Feb. 10 from 10 -11 AM preceding a funeral Mass at 11 AM. He will be interred immediately thereafter at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to the Evergreen Local Schools Scholarship Fund c/o Evergreen Local School District, 14544 Co. Rd. 6, Metamora, OH 43540. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.