Ronald "Ronnie" Cothren

Ronald “Ronnie” Eugene Cothren passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2025, at the age of 68, in Amarillo, Texas. Ronnie was born October 24, 1956, in Lawton, Oklahoma. Ronnie was a “Renaissance Man” who attended culinary school, played multiple musical instruments, raced stock cars, and could fix just about anything. He was known as a caring, generous, intelligent man of God with witty humor that could brighten anyone’s day. Ronnie’s passion for music included jam sessions in the garage, a love for Pink Floyd and the Eagles, and service on the praise and worship team for several years.

Ronnie spent most of his life laying carpet and working various jobs, building lifelong friendships along the way. He served as a deacon and elder at Plum Creek Fellowship, helping to facilitate the partnership that resulted in Plum Creek becoming Hillside Christian Church Northwest Campus. He joined the Hillside maintenance team years later and retired from Hillside Christian Church.

Ronnie married the love of his life, Diedre Cox Cothren, in 1979. They had two children, Ryan Cothren and Kara Cothren. Ronnie and Diedre also raised their two granddaughters, KaLee Cothren and Anna Cothren. Ronnie and Diedre's love will be remembered as a representation of wholehearted joy, strength, and support.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Norma Jo Cothren and Richard Allen Cothren, his brothers, Allen Cothren and Bill Cothren.

Ronnie is survived by his wife Diedre Cox Cothren; his sisters, Nancy Long of Lawton, OK, and Debi Baldridge and her husband Bruce Baldridge of Lawton, OK; his son, Ryan Cothren and his wife of Denver, CO; his daughter, Kara Word and her husband Benjamin Word of Amarillo, TX; six grandchildren, KaLee Jade Liadel Cothren, Damen Michael Wayne Owen, Anna Lynne Cothren, Serenity, Marigold Diane Word, and Rosemary Lynne Word.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors at 5400 Bell St, Amarillo, TX 79109.

Funeral Service will be held at 10am, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Hillside Christian Church - West Campus at 6100 S. Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX 79119.

Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lawton, OK on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 2pm.