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J.L. Cotnam was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on September 17, 1931. He had one older brother, J.R. and a younger sister Barbara Ruth. His mother, Floyd Jane Lowder, Cotnam, Marler, was a very hard worker, excellent seamstress and a great cook. She rose very early each day to get to her job as a short order cook/waitress/manager of a diner in order to provide for her three children. His father, Edgar Cotnam was a farmer. J.L. grew up in the country and graduated from Fountain Lake High School. After graduation, at 17, he had to get his mother's signature to join the U. S. Air Force. He became a wire mechanic in the Philippines during the Korean Conflict, working on telephone and telegraph equipment. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1952, returned to Hot Springs and shortly thereafter met Geraldine Cotnam. They were married May 1, 1953, after knowing each other only 40 days. On the GI Bill, J.L. was able to take his new wife and live in married housing and attend the University of Arkansas to pursue his degree in electrical engineering. Out of the 350 students which began the program with him, only 75 graduated. J.L. completed a 5-year degree, which required 144 hours of course work, in 4 years. This was very impressive for a country boy and the only family member to complete a college degree. Mark, his first child, was born after his freshman year in college and Cathy was born in December of his senior year. After graduation, he took the family to Fort Worth to work for General Dynamics on a a government contract for building B-58's, which were the first supersonic bombers. When the contract was completed in 1960, J.L. moved his family to San Antonio to begin his Civil Service career at Kelly AFB where he stayed until he retired in 1987. He loved staying busy working on salvaged vehicles and provided affordable transportation for his immediate family, including children, grandchildren, his mother and sister. The Cotnam family joined Trinity Baptist church in 1960 and were active leaders and supporters of several ministries like a weekly Bible Study at the Buckner's Benevolence Girls Home, the food ministry and the counting committee. J.L. has served as a deacon for many years and became a Life Deacon at Trinity Baptist Church which was one of his most cherished honors. J.L. wanted his children to have the opportunity to graduate from college and made it possible for Mark to complete undergraduate degree followed by his veterinarian degree, both from Texas A&M. Cathy completed her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M followed by her master's in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a second master's in education administration from Texas A&M Kingsville. All five of J.L.'s grandchildren have also completed college degrees which he was very proud of and encouraged them to do so. J.L. is preceded in death by his mother (Floyd Jane Marler), father (Edgar Cotnam), brother (J.R. Cotnam) and sister (Barbara Ruth Lookadoo). Geraldine passed away in 2016 after 63 years of marriage and friendship. He is survived by his son Mark Cotnam, father of his granddaugters Kate and Everlee and his daughter Cathy Cotnam, mother of his grandson Nathan Norman, the father of his great grandchildren Scottie and Ryan, granddaughter, AnnaLee Norman, and granddaughter Kelleebeth Cantu, the mother of his great grandchildren Jonah, Lucas and Sofia Cantu. The Memorial Service with Military Honors for J.L. will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday March 25, 2023. There will be a private burial at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Jasper Lee "JL" Cotnam

September 17, 1931 - March 16, 2023