Memorials › Joe Sheldon Kotrla

Joe Sheldon Kotrla

27 May 1938 – 25 Jan 2018

Birth27 May 1938
Death25 Jan 2018
CemeteryGranger Brethren Church Cemetery
Granger , Williamson County , Texas , USA
Added byRozz on 21 Nov 2020
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23546266

Bio

A man known for raising buffalo on his 10-acre farm in Round Rock has died. He was 79. Joe Don Kotrla-Chipps died Jan. 25 in his Round Rock home, “surrounded by his many loving pets,” said his sister, Edna Kotrola of Pennsylvania. Autopsy results are pending to determine his cause of death, she said. The American-Statesman wrote about him in May when he was raising two fuzzy new buffalo calves on his land. Kotrla-Chipps, who was part Czech and part Lakota Indian, kept buffalo on his 10 acres of land for more than 20 years. He said he sold some of them to be kept as pets but never for their meat. He grew up in Granger and Taylor. His father, Alvin “Bull” Kotrla, was Texas High School football coach of the year in 1954. Kotrla-Chipps spent 20 years in the Navy, including six tours of duty in Vietnam. “He returned to his farm in the 1970’s where he joined the early music scene in Austin and Kerrville,” said his sister. “Often going by the name ‘Nellie Wilson,’ he could be seen on Sixth Street with his double washtub bass.” He raised buffalo in support of Native-American issues and participated in Sun Dance ceremonies at least four times in South Dakota, said Edna Kotrola. Some of Kotrla’s ashes will be spread in South Dakota, she said. She said a family friend is taking care of Kotrla’s farm and his buffalo. Another friend, she said, is taking care of Kotrla’s parrot, named “Jesse.” Kotrla’s wife, Edith Kotrla-Chipps, died in 2015. Along with his sister, he is survived by his aunt Dorothy Tierney of Austin. He is also survived by his cousins Sue Kotrola, Richard Kotrola, Robert Kotrola and Lisa Kotrola, all from Austin. Contributor: Rozz (47726691)

Photos

Family

Parents

Siblings

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family