Clayton Eugene Cotey

Rapid River

Clayton Eugene Cotey, age 86, of Rapid River, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his North Delta County farm on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. He was born on April 8,1940 in Munising to Harold and Lillian (St. Amour) Cotey and was raised in their home near the Lincoln School. After graduating from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1959, Clayton served in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1962. Soon after, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin – where his sister, Virginia Cotey, and several other Munising graduates relocated after high school – and he worked at the American Motors Corporation. He soon fell in love with Barbara Lehnen, from Munising, and they were married in Racine in 1963.

In 1967, Clayton and Barbara moved back home to Munising with three kids in tow, and Clayton began working for Hartho. He eventually transitioned to the Mead Publishing Papermill in Escanaba and was a heavy-equipment operator in the yard, retiring after 30 years. Clayton and his family moved to the North Delta County area and always kept close ties to their Munising family.

While raising five children and working full-time, Clayton was also an avid farmer. He and Barbara owned and operated Cotey Cattle and Land, a cattle farm originally on US-41 in Osier, and eventually moved to the old Sahn Dairy Farm just south of Trenary. He retired from farming in 2024.

When he wasn’t working at the Papermill or farming, Clayton enjoyed being an active volunteer and community member. Every year, he looked forward to spending time at Bear Camp, with all the family and friends who knew him as “The Rat.” He had many hobbies and loved working on model railroad trains, designing intricate landscapes and buildings for all of his friends and grandkids to enjoy. He was a longtime member of the Upper Michigan Central Model Railroad Club of Escanaba. Clayton was also a lifelong member of the Munising American Legion and the Trenary Lions Club, celebrating 41 years as an active member.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Lillian; sisters - Virginia Cota and Annette (Cliff) Lukowski, brother - Joseph (Linda) Cotey; grandson – Courtney; in-laws Theodore and Jaunita Lehnen; and sister-in-law – Judy Cotey.

Clayton is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Cotey of Rapid River; his sons and daughters – Julie (Bryan) Adams, Clayton (Stacy) Cotey, Jr., Steven Cotey, Christine (Greg) Rathje, and Stuart (Katie) Cotey; grandchildren – Tamara, Douglas, Lillian, Madelyn, and Nathan; great-grandchildren – Elizabeth and Jake; brothers John, Richard, and Ken (Cheri) Cotey; numerous nieces and nephews; and brother-in-law – Theodore (Monica) Lehnen.

A graveside service will be on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising at 1:00 p.m.. The Alger County Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors and Deacon Tom Moseley will lead committal prayers. Friends and family will be gathering after the ceremony at the American Legion of Munising.

Memorials in Clayton’s name are encouraged to be made to Feeding Hearts E2997 State Highway M-67, Trenary, MI 49891– which provides weekly meals to families in the Trenary area. This program was created by Gene’s granddaughter and supported weekly by him. Or to the Upper Michigan Central Railroad Club of Escanaba.