Stephen Dennis Cottrell

Dr. Stephen Dennis Cottrell, age 80, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2022. He died in Sandy, UT, surrounded by his children whom he loved immensely. The love of his life, Judy Bierman, preceded him in death 26 years earlier.

Stephen (“Steve”, “Denny”) was born January 31, 1942, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Glen and Virginia Jeanette Lambourne Cottrell. The eldest of three children, he graduated from Highland High School, where he met his future wife, Judy Bierman. Following graduation, he became the first in his family to attend college, studying at the University of Utah. He served a 2-½ year LDS mission in Switzerland from 1962 to 1964, then returned to study at the University of Utah, graduating with a major in German.

On September 1, 1965, he married his sweetheart, Judy; their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple. Steve applied to many dental schools and was thrilled to be accepted into the prestigious University of Maryland School of Dentistry. He was the Senior Class President at the Dental School and a member of the Gamma Pi Delta Honor Prosthodontic Society, graduating in 1971 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery.

Previous to his graduation, his first child, Melinda, was born. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force as a dentist during the Vietnam War. He and his family were stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, NM. It was there that his second child, Melissa, was born. After two years in the Air Force, he was made aware of a small city close to Clovis called Portales that needed another dentist. He joined the town’s only dentist, Dr. Buck Wilson, and the two were in practice together in Portales, NM, for seven years. This was a time of Steve’s life that he often looked back on with fondness.

In 1979, Steve and Judy moved their family back to Salt Lake City, UT. A few years later, two additional children, Christopher, and then Meredith, joined the family. Steve built a new dental practice that included denture-making and called it The Denture Clinic of Utah. It was there that he would make his living until he retired at the age of 55. His early retirement allowed him to take over the household duties as well as to care for his beloved wife who was terminally ill with cancer. His dear wife Judy left him early, and he spent the last 26 years of his life without her. He stepped in to fill the shoes of both parents and came to know his four children on a deeper level, while constantly looking forward to the day he could join Judy once again.

In his spare time, he participated in the hobby of radio-controlled model airplane building and flying, which he enjoyed very much, for over 30 years. He had a group of friends he would go flying with and they often looked to him for help and advice. He also had a great love for Corvettes and owned quite a few throughout his lifetime. He liked to say that ‘a Coke, a Snickers bar, and a ride in the Vette’ would often cure any blues he had!

Steve was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many positions, notably as Branch President in Portales, NM, and as a long-time Gospel Doctrine teacher in Sandy, Utah. He had a vast library of church books, and he read every one of them, all the while taking notes and making a binder of cross-references. His knowledge of the Gospel was extraordinary.

Steve is survived by his four children: Melinda (Gregory) Hebertson of Houston, TX; Melissa (Erik) Felsted of Heber, UT; Christopher (Chelsea) Cottrell of Idaho Falls, ID; and Meredith (Brett) Lee of Midway, UT. He has twelve grandchildren: Geoffrey (Meagan) Hebertson, Alexandra Hebertson, Abigail Felsted, Andrew Felsted, Grant Felsted, Aiden Cottrell, Sydney Cottrell, Easton Cottrell, Hannah Lee, Eliza Lee, Brandon Lee, and Katherine Lee; and one great-grandson, Christopher (“CJ”) Hebertson. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Courtland (Pauleen) Cottrell of Sandy, UT, and his sister Debbie (Dr. Wesley) Brown of Salt Lake City, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents William Glen and Virginia Cottrell, and his wife, Judy Bierman Cottrell.

We would like to express our gratitude for Steve’s ministering brethren, his flying group friends, and, of special note, his dear friend of over 40 years, John Coconaur. John cared for Steve’s household for many years and for Steve himself in the last few months of his life.

It was Stephen’s wish to not have a funeral. Instead, his request was for an intimate gravesite gathering. He is interred at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah. To honor Stephen’s life, any financial contributions may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund.