Obituary of James (Tom) Cothran

Tom was the last of 9 siblings to travel to heaven. He was preceded by his Parents - Fred and Cora Belle Cothran; Sisters - Willadine Cothran, Irene Bryan, Mildred Baleria and Jean Marie Owings; Brothers - Eugene, Everett, Howard and Fred Cothran Jr.  Born in Tennessee in 1931, His family moved to San Bernardino, CA. in 1938. After he graduated from San Bernardino H.S., the family moved to Inglewood,CA in 1950. In 1951, Tom joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Balboa Hospital in San Diego. He then deployed with 1st Marine Battalion "A", serving in Korea and arrived on the US Walker at Incon, Japan on May 1, 1953. He returned to Pico Rivera, CA. in Nov. 1954. Tom provided a home and care for their mother until her passing in 1964. Tom was a Project Manager for JBI Company and very active member of the Whittier #323 and Rosemead #457 Masonic Lodges, where he served as Whittier's Master Mason in 1970. In 2006, after being retired a few years, Tom moved to Simi Valley, CA. to be able to spend more time with his family. Tom's knack for interior design never stopped as he was always painting or having something new added to his home. His talented green thumb kept his home full of beautiful flowers and was the talk of the neighborhood. He always enjoyed a good steak or Mexican food for dinner. Tom was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of returning to Tennessee to visit his birthplace and the Great Smoky Mountains in late 2012.  He is survived by: Nieces - Karen (Dwight) Thompson of Simi Valley, CA., Kathe (Kent) Ernest of Ventura, CA, Mary Deane Gilson of Simi Valley, CA, Carol (Bob) Johnston of Lawrenceburg, TN, Joe Ann (Bob) Obermeyer of Montclair, CA, Barbara (Jim) Benecke of St. Louis, MO and Sandi Furher of Bishop, CA.  Nephews - Billy Cothran of Ethridge, TN, Gary Cothran of Lancaster, CA, Jerry Cothran of W. Virginia Kenny Cothran of WA, Jim (Dawn) Bryan of Chico, CA and Dennis (Eddy) Belaria of Woodland Park, CO.  Great Nephews - Matt May of Simi Valley, CA, Jason (Kelli) May of Simi Valley, CA, Jeff Ernst of Ventura, CA and Mike (Karen) Partello of Clifton. OH, Josh (Jen) Thompson of Pensacola, FL.