Former island resident John L. Cogdell, age 51, died May 8 in Chewelah.

He was born Nov. 4, 1951 in Sunnyside to Billy Jo and Elanora Cogdell. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1969 and entered the Marine Corps.

From there, he went to Alaska for about 10 years during the fishing seasons, where he worked with his brother.

He and his family moved to Poulsbo, where he became a farrier. The family lived there eight years before moving to Chewelah.

He was employed at Northwest Alloys for 12 years before being hired at Wal-Mart in Colville.

He is survived by his partner in life, Maggie Tarble; his mother, Elanora Cogdell; his brother, Ronald Cogdell, and two sisters, Jennifer McCoy and Cindy Hetherington; his two sons, Ronald Cogdell and William Cogdell; two stepchildren, Sarah and David Tarble; grandsons Dustin and Austin Cogdell, and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Jo Cogdell.

A memorial service was held May 11 at the home of Dick and Jenny McCoy in Chewelah.