James Denver Cothern, 64, of McAlester, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, at his home with his family beside him.  The family has made arrangements for a cremation and will schedule a Celebration of Life service at a later date.

James Cothern was born on January 26, 1960 in McAlester to Herbert James Cothern and Johnnie Lorada (Robertson) Cothern.  He grew up in this area and graduated from Haileyville High School.  After school, James worked at the local Wal Mart, for a number of years, until he could retire, then went to work at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in the maintenance department, again, until retirement.  James liked to read and putting puzzles together, but his favorite thing was spending time with his family and loving on his grandkids.

James is survived by his wife, Christi Cothern; his children, J. J. Buzidragis and Madison Mosby and her husband Chris; his grandchildren, Axton Buzidragis and Creed Mosby; his mother, Johnnie Cothern; a brother, Doug Cothern; his sisters, Freda Kirkes, Rebecca Dixon and her husband James, and Beth Broussard and her husband Stoney; a brother-in-law, Bryan Crow and wife Christina; a sister-in-law, Allison Dixon and husband Daniel; his mother-in-law, Barbara Crow; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Cothern; grandmother, Alta Cothern; uncle, Joe Cothern; father-in-law, Charles Crow; and brother-in-law, Darrell Kirkes.