Albert Cuellar

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Albert Cuellar

Feb. 22, 1938 - Nov. 13, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — Albert Cuellar, 82, a longtime resident of McCook, passed away Nov. 13, 2020, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb.

He was born Feb. 22, 1938, to Macedonio and Tranquilina (Luevano) Cuellar in McCook. He attended McCook Schools and graduated from McCook High School in 1956. Albert graduated from McCook Junior College (MCC) in 1958 and from Kearney State College (UNK) in 1962. He taught for two years in country school south of Trenton and south of McCook. After graduating from Kearney, he taught for three years at Culbertson Public Schools and 11 years at Elm Creek Public School before returning to McCook to teach at McCook Junior High for 22 years.

In his 38 years of teaching, Albert taught European History, American History, World Geography, Math, Art, Language Arts, and Spanish. He sponsored the Junior Class, Senior Class, Student Council (22 years), Pep Club, National Honor Society, and the Annual Staff. Albert also coached volleyball for 22 years, helped with the Boy Scouts, kept stats for football, scored and timed for basketball, and worked track meets.

Cuellar was president of the Elm Creek-Overton Education Association and the McCook Education Association for five years. He was also negotiator for the MEA, attended national conventions for MEA and the Student Council. In 1980, he was appointed by Gov. J. James Exon as a Commissioner to the Mexican American Commission. He served as the assistant editor for the Bison Alumni Newsletter since 1995 and as president of the McCook Educational Foundation Inc. since 1999.

In his retirement, he was active with the Bison Alumni Newsletter, and the McCook Educational Foundation. He used the YMCA as often as possible. Albert loved to travel, going to Europe, Mexico, and his favorite city, Las Vegas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Pete, Joe, Manuel, and John; and sisters, Josephine, Margaret, Veda, and Delores.

He is survived by brothers, Frank of Omaha, Neb., and Richard of Nehalem, Ore.; and sister, Juanita Bittner of Harvey, Ill.

Cremation was chosen and in keeping with Albert’s wishes, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Albert requests donations to the McCook Educational Foundation or the McCook Community College Foundation/Albert Cuellar Scholarship. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.