James Eugene Cottrill

James Eugene Cottrill, 72, of Alliance, Ohio, died at 8:35 p.m. on August 28, 2021 at Alliance Community Hospital after an extended illness.

He was born on December 15, 1948 in Greenfield, Ohio, to Paul Lewis Cottrill and Dorothy June (Hurtt) Cottrill.  He was raised on the family farm in Washington Courthouse, Ohio with his younger brother and sister.  Jim graduated from Miami Trace High School on May 29, 1957 and received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from The Ohio State University on June 11, 1971.

Following graduation, he worked for over a decade for the US Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Home Administration before leaving his desk job. He found his calling in his hands, working as a bus mechanic for US Coach in Alliance, where he worked for over 35 years.  He met the love of his life, Mary Harris, in the summer of 1977—in his words, “I just knew she was the one when I met her, and I had to talk to her again.” After a brief courtship, Jim and Mary were married on December 2, 1977.  That following year, they welcomed their son into the world, Thomas Cottrill.  Jim and Mary celebrated almost 30 years of marriage before her untimely death in 2007.

More than anything, Jim was dedicated to his family and spent his life demonstrating his deep love for them.  In his later years, Jim was most proud of his two young grandchildren, James (7) and Oliver (4). He made it his mission to spend as much quality time with them as possible, and as such, became known as the “neighborhood papa” who always had after-school cookies available for his grandchildren and their friends.  He enjoyed fishing, reading, and was well-known for his love of the History Channel and his hatred of the groundhogs under his backyard shed.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary (Harris) Cottrill; father, Paul Lewis Cottrill; mother, Dorothy June (Hurtt) Cottrill; sister-in-law, Rosalind Cottrill of Washington Courthouse, Ohio; brother-in-law, Joe Hollingsworth, of Jamestown, Ohio; brothers-in-law, William Delawder of Minerva, Robert L. Harris of Canton, Gary (Jack) Harris of Alliance, and Kenneth R. Harris of Alliance; as well as sister-in-law, Rose M. Harris of Alliance.

Survivors include his son, Thomas (Myra) Cottrill of Alliance; grandchildren, James and Oliver; his brother, Larry (Rosalind) Cottrill of Washington Courthouse; his niece, Valerie (Rob) Cruea; his grandnieces and nephews, Austin, Addie and Samuel Braden;  his sister, Kathy (Joe)  Hollingsworth of Jamestown; and nephews, Patrick (Amanda) Hollingsworth and Ethan Hollingsworth; his brother-in-law, Lawrence R. (Diane) Harris  of Alliance; along with the many other nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews on his wife’s side.

The funeral will be on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Pastor Freddie Rodriguez officiating.  Friends may call between 5-7 PM on Friday, September 3. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Community Pantry, 215 E. Market Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601, https://alliancecommunitypantry.org.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.