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Dallas Business Leader And Philanthropist Comer J. Cottrell Dead At 82

Comer J. Cottrell

Longtime Dallas businessman and philanthropist Comer J. Cottrell has died.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting family and friends confirmed that Cottrell died this morning at his home in Dallas. He was 82.

While serving in the 1950s as a sergeant in the United States Air Force, Cottrell noticed it didn’t carry hair-care products for black soldiers.

He was reportedly one of the first to open the market for African American cosmetics in the military.

Cottrell became one of nations’ leading black entrepreneurs after co-founding and moving ‘Pro-Line’ to Texas with his brother James, a widely successful African American hair-care company.

In 1990, Cottrell helped the expansion of Paul Quinn College by financially supporting its move from Waco to the 131-acre Bishop College campus in Dallas.

He also became part owner of the Rangers along with future Governor and President George W. Bush in 1989.

Cottrell was known for his philanthropic support of community and civil rights efforts across the country.

According to TheHistoryMakers.com: Cottrell was the recipient of numerous awards including the Dallas Business Hall of Fame, and a member of multiple organizations including the NAACP, the YMCA, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the North Texas Commission, and the Dallas Citizens council.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Justin Martin is KERA’s local host of All Things Considered, anchoring afternoon newscasts for KERA 90.1. Justin grew up in Mannheim, Germany, and avidly listened to the Voice of America and National Public Radio whenever stateside. He graduated from the American Broadcasting School, and further polished his skills with radio veteran Kris Anderson of the Mighty 690 fame, a 50,000 watt border-blaster operating out of Tijuana, Mexico. Justin has worked as holiday anchor for the USA Radio Network, serving the U.S. Armed Forces Network. He’s also hosted, produced, and engineered several shows, including the Southern Gospel Jubilee on 660 KSKY.