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From the Pampa Daily News, Feb. 25, 2015
Carol Jean Kotara, 70, of Pampa, died in Pampa on Feb. 23, 2015. A vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel. Liturgy of the Word will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. Scott Raef, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral of Amarillo, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Ms. Kotara was born May 31, 1944, In Pampa. She had been a lifelong resident of Pampa and White Deer, graduating from Pampa High School in 1962. Carol loved publishing her farm and ranch magazine and the senior’s edition, and she loved raising her children and being there for them. She was a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority in White Deer. She was a member of the Altar Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in White Deer, and worked many years at the polish sausage dinner. Carol worked many years at the Green Punkin Restaurant in White Deer. She married John Kotara, III in 1963 in White Deer, and after their separation, they continued to be good friends.
Carol was preceded in death by her uncle, Jean Douglass in 1983; her father, Loyd Wilson in 1994; and grandparents, George and Ida Douglass and Walter and Maude Wilson. Survivors include her four children, John Kotara, IV and Tracy Kotara, both of White Deer, Karla Kotara of Denton, and Kalina Anderson and husband Rick of Frisco; her mother, Mary McDaniel of Pampa; four grandchildren, John Jarett Kotara and wife Lindsay and Haili Kotara, all of Pampa, and Alexis Anderson and Raelin Anderson, both of Frisco; and four great-grandchildren, Rylan, Makenna, John Kolt and Brenli; and her “forever friend,” Sherry Kotara Hill of Houston.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 500 N. Main, White Deer, Texas 79097; or Good Samaritan Christian Services, 309 N. Ward, Pampa, Texas 79065.
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Donna Walsh (Stephens)
I was so saddened to hear about the loss of Carol Jean. I remember her as funny, full of life and always getting me in trouble. Carol was a lot of fun and I loved being around her. I know that God is going to take care of her family and dear mother. It hits hard when we lose someone our age. I will be keeping the family in my prayers.
Marilyn Scott (McCoy)
Carol Jean has left us with an emptiness but is a joy in heaven. Prayers of peace and comfort for her family and friends.
Dianna Meyers (Isley)
I received the very sad news that Carol Jean Wilson (Kotara) had passed away. I last saw her one year ago and marveled at her personal strength with the multiple medical conditions and complications that she had. I can easily remember all the good fun times at Pampa High School with her, Zmo, Sherry, Judy, and me. We drove the “drag” in her Mother’s car (gas was 25 cents a gallon), attended football games, spend a lot of time at Caldwell’s Drive-In, pledged in the Kit Kat Klub, and generally did all the things normal teen girls did in the sixties at the best high school in Texas. I can emphatically say she was a good person, loved all her family and absolutely will be judged to have left the small section of earth that she loved (Pampa, Texas) better than she found it. I only hope her suffering is now relieved and I hope for all her family and friends that they cherish for years all the good memories of her. Very Sincerely, Dianna Isley (Meyers)
Lyndell "Corky" Godfrey
Carol Jean was a good friend. She was full of life and loved life. We know that she is in a far better place. She leaves a hole in her family, but there will be a uniting for all in the future. We will miss you dearly. God bless this family.Corky Godfrey
Mike (Spinks) Bolton
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Carol. I remember many of our fun times together during the Robert E Lee Jr High days. Always funny and just fun do be around.. I did not see her after 1961, but for sure she stayed the same lovely person throughout her life..Regards to her family.
Robert L. Neslage
Carol Jean was always full of life and frendly to all she met. It seemed as though she alwayas had something to laugh about and could keep all in good humor. She will be missed and may the Lord hold her in the palm of his hands.
David Tripplehorn
I taked to Carol Jean about three weeks ago. I talked to her about every 90 days since her health started failing. She was fun to talk to and was an "original" person in her conversation. Her mother called me a few hours after she passed away, and I knew what she was going to say. You just have that feeling. Carol Jean never got bitter about her current plight in life. As she stated, she just "kept plowing ahead". To me that made her special. She left four lovely grown children and a very with-it Mother.(Mary won Citizen of the year award last year at age 94). I will go by to see Mary when I go through Pampa this summer. It is not easy losing your only child in your mid ninties. The weather was to bad to "fly in" the morning of the funeral. In spite of bad weather the auditorium was totally full. What a nice tribute!!! She had a ball at the last Pampa Reunion. Thanks Butch. Wishing everyone the best, David Tripplehorn
Pam Ludeman (Price)
I am sorry to see the loss of your classmate. But when I see her with "Elvis" I am elated that she was able to be at your 50th reunion. Your reunion is one that will be remembered for many years by all of you who were able to attend This is one of the best reasons for having class reunions.
We, the Class of 1965, are planning our own 50th reunion to be this coming September in Grapevine like your did. Thanks to so many in your class, we have some wonderful ideas from you. There's a PHS Class of 1965 website. We had about 389 classmates and have lost 57 of them. Sure brings back memories of when we were together at our various reunions.
Linda Zmotony (Johnson)
So late to find out about the passing of my high school classmates and old freinds, I just now joined this web site..all the fun w\Sherry,Willna,Dianna.Linda Brown..oh how many time we drove around " the drag" and chased all the boys..Heaven will have a great class reunion for the class of 62...
Betty McWilliams (Patterson)
I, too, was late in hearing about Carol Jean's passing. I remember enjoying her so much at the 50th Reunion and it was the first time I knew the health issues she was having. Bless her for creating so much mirth in other's lives. She will be greatly missed. I guess we're at that age when we will be losing more of our school family, but I truly believe the old adage, "It's better to love and lose than never to love". We have wonderful memories of each other. I bet she has everyone around her in Heaven laughing.