Reenlee Henry Kotas' Obituary
Reenlee Henry Kotas Sr born to Henry and Mae (Kubicek) Kotas on July 28, 1931 at Exeter, Nebraska. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family at home in Ramona, California on September 28th, 2025 at the age of 94 years and 2 months. He was the youngest of two children.
Reen attended Rural School District #5, then Milligan High School through the 8th grade. In his youth he worked on the family farm and was part of many building projects in Milligan including roofing, carpentry and the grain elevator. July 17th,1952 he enlisted in the Army, during the Korean Conflict. Reen proudly served as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery man. He was honorably discharged after 2 years of service June 8th,1954.
One night in Lincoln, NE he disconnected the spark plug wires on Sue VanBuskirk’s car in an attempt to play the hero, but he was unable to re-connect them to the distributor cap. His efforts were not fruitless, and they were married shortly thereafter on January 25, 1958 in Beatrice, NE. This union was blessed with 4 children, Denise, Darcy, Reenlee II, and Kevin. In 1960 he graduated from Milford Trade School after completing the Tool and Die Program. Reen and Sue packed up their family and moved across the country to San Diego, CA in May of 1967. Throughout his career as a machinist, he worked at Solar Turbines, Air Vehicle, then at Franklin Industries as co-owner. He later retired from Reynolds-Mason Inc. in 1997.
Reen and his oldest son lovingly restored a 1930 Tudor Model-A coupe, and the car was completed in time to participate in the 1988 Milligan Centennial Celebration. Reen was an active member of the San Diego Model-A club for over 40 years, cultivating many life-long friendships and proudly participating in many parades, shows and tours. Being a brilliant problem solver he designed, fabricated and hand tested 3,861 Model-A gas floats, until he was 93 years old. These floats were sold across the nation and will live on in Model-A cars for years to come.
Reen and Sue loved to travel together, including going on several cruises, discovering America and visiting family. In 2008, Reen and Sue celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking their entire family on a Caribbean Cruise, creating many cherished memories. Sadly in 2010 Sue passed away from cancer, and though heartbroken, Reen remained the central pillar of his family’s lives. In the last 15 months of his life, he received loving and attentive care as he had moved to the home of his oldest son, Reenlee and wife Tanya.
He will be remembered as a deeply loving supportive and hands-on father and grandfather. Whistling as he tinkered in the garage and making modifications to things, whether it was needed or not. He had a heart of gold and never met a stranger. Reen loved playing cards, gambling, the Padres, tallying anything that could be tallied, making whirly-gigs, and of course, ketchup.
Reen was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Kotas, parents Henry and Mae Kotas, father and mother-in-law Everett and Mary VanBuskirk, sister and brother-in-law Betty and Merle Buzek.
He is survived by his children, Denise (Scott) Worrell of Milligan, NE, Darcy (Jason) Richtarik of,Wilber, NE, Reenlee II (Tanya) Kotas of Ramona, CA, Kevin (Charito) Kotas of Bonita, CA, sister-in-law Sheli (Richard) Schwindt of Phoenix, AZ, 10 grandchildren: Brandon, Melissa, Shawn, Allison, Sharlene, Bailey, Amanda, Hunter, Molly and Ryan, 7 great grandchildren: Cohen, Ensley, Braxton, Dominic, Charlie, Brody and Weston, many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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