Homer D. Cogdill ~ April 11, 1930 - August 16, 2011

Homer D. Cogdill, age 81 of Colstrip, MT passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at Forest Ridge in Billings, MT.
Homer was born on April 11, 1930 the son of Delbert and Lois (Cowan) Cogdill in Des Lacs, ND.  He attended school in Des Lacs, ND.  Following his schooling, he went to work for F&B Becker International and later Minot Sand &Gravel. 
He entered the United States Army on November 14, 1951in Minot/Fargo, ND during the Korea Action.  He was in the 74th Engineer Heavy Equipment Co & Tractor Scraper School, building roads and airports in Korea.  Homer was honorable discharged on October 14, 1953 at Ft. Lewis, WA.   He spent two years on active duty and six years in the Army Reserve.
Homer went to work for Paul Camper working on water and sewer projects in Minot, ND and then went on to work for Key Witt Construction as an Equipment Operator.
He was united in marriage to Ruth Anderson on June 25, 1955.  Together they had five children, Darwin, Cleo, David, Clenora and Cathy.   They later divorced.  Homer was working for True x Trayer Coal Co. in 1968 when he accepted a job with Western Energy Coal Mine in Colstrip, MT.  In 1969 he went to work for Peabody Coal Mine in Colstrip working as a Drag Line Operator.  He met and married Anna Davidson in 1972. To this union one son, Iver was born.  They later divorced.  He retired from Peabody Coal Mine in 1995.  For fun, following his retirement, he went to work for Bob Cogdill his nephew at Aggregate Construction.  He was running caterpillar for gravel crusher in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Homer enjoyed raising Quarter Horses, Ponies of America Appaloosa’s, and had a breeding pair of Arabians.  He traveled and showed horses with Cleo and Darwin with David trailing along until he moved to Montana.  Homer was a member of the United Mine Workers Union and was also a VFW member.
He was preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Lois Cogdill; his sisters Leona Liefson and Inez Nelson; his brother Duane Cogdill and his son-in-law Dan Shea.
Homer is survived by his children; Darwin Cogdill of Colstrip, MT, Cleo Shea of Billings, MT, Iver (Julie) Cogdill of Billings, MT, David (Vivian) Cogdill of Forsyth, MT, Clenora (Gary) Quinlan of Forsyth, MT and Cathy Mertz of Minot, ND; his brothers, Clarence (Gwen) Cogdill of Burlington, ND, and Dick (Carol) Cogdill of Lonetree, ND;  his sisters, Euinee Ann (Watt) Mertz of Minot, ND and Wyoma Ingolfsland of Minot, ND.  He is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Family will be receiving friends on Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.  Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 12:00pm noon in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.  Burial will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery with Full Military Honors.  Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth has been entrusted with these arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com Print this post