Birth date: Feb 13, 1934 Death date: May 1, 2015
James Alvin Cothern went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the age of 81. Beloved husband of the late Alice Joanne Terry Cothern. Loving father of John Cothern (Selena), James “Jimmy” Cothern, Jr. (Lisa) and Julie Men Read Obituary
James was a friend of mine vis having played with his younger brother, Glenn. Remember fun times going to Glenn's house to see "Jim's green ford CA hot rod".
Jim was always kind and courteous to me, giving me pointers on "shooting the ball" more. Also enjoyed some of the scrimmages we had with Tulane's varsity when I was a senior at Fortier. In all respects I was honored to be able to consider Jim a friend.
John Arms (Fortier '56)
To the Cothern Family,
John, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hold on to those precious memories you shared.
May God Bless!
Marla and Paul Landry
To the family of Jim Cothern-
Jim and I worked together at BellSouth. I knew Jim best, when he was responsible for Louisiana's Network Provisioning staff functions. In this role, he assisted in the coordination of the capital budgeting, design, engineering, and construction of our company's network facilities within the state. I had one of the management positions in North Louisiana. This was in the late 1970's and early 1980's, when there were numerous service challenges.
Jim was always calm and balanced in his approach to solutions. He was able to hear all of the requests for additional funding and personnel, and then present a fair and honest recommendation. He provided a "steady hand on the wheel". Also, his quick smile and chuckle made it easier to handle tense times for all of us.
Jim was a friend and a fellow member of the Telephone Pioneers. He will be missed.
I offer my condolences to all members of the family.
Jerry Andrews
BellSouth Retiree
To John, Paul, and Julie and your families,
I wish we did not live so far away from all of you and could have helped share the burden of both of your parents' illnesses. I am sure the times have been unbelievably hard and it is especially hard to lose Jim and JoAnne so close together. The Lord put us in families to care for one another with a special bond and He understands the emotions you have now and the loss you feel. The Bible says "Precious to the Lord is the ongoing of His saints". It is precious and costly to all of you also. I pray you recall all of the precious and good times you have experienced as a family and are able to bond even more closely at this time. We love you and want you to know we share with you as much as possible from a distance. We pray for you today and in the days to come that you may 'mount up with wings as an eagle', and draw even closer to the Lord to bask in His comfort and His love for you all.
From Janet and Bob Renfrow, Brownwood, Texas
Did not know James but do know John and if John is anything like his father he had to be an outstanding man. Our sympathies and condolences to your family and may God bless you all.
Mike and Mary Coffelt
I knew Jim while we were both students and athletes at Fortier High School in the late 40's and early 50's and graduated together. Jim was an excellent basketball player and a great all around guy. Although I have not seen Jim in many years, I have many memories of our time in high school competing in the sports we loved and growing up in a more innocent time. I will miss him. My sincere sympathies, condolences and prayers to his family at this time for their profound loss.
Walt Robelot, Metairie, Louisiana
Jim and I shared may great times in our life and career with the phone factory. Our car pooling was a special time,
also. He was a friend and a colleague of the highest order.
I have so many, fond, life changing, memories of both Jim and Joann. My favorite is when I would travel with them for Pioneering back in my early days of moving to NOLA...I would be in the back seat and as soon as we would get on the main hwy traveling to our destination, Jim would look over to Joann and smile, and she would rest her hand on the center console and he would hold her hand. They would stay like this all the way from NOLA to Shreveport. I just loved how they "loved" each other and they were an inspiration to us all. Such loving and giving individuals. So happy that they are finally together again. Miss them both terribly.
I am so sorry to learn of this. He was the best boss I ever had. We worked together in Metairie in the Corporate and Community Affairs department. God be with all of you in this difficult time.
Sally Farris
Jimmy, we have fond memories of your family from our time in Riverwood. Our sympathy on the passing of your father, a good man.
"Coach" Al and Diane Kramer
