Mr. James Franklin Cotham

May 30, 1936 - August 22, 2017

James Franklin Cotham, 81, of Bell Buckle, TN, passed away on Tuesday, August 22nd at his home. He was surrounded by his wife, Linda Edwards Cotham and his two daughters Robin Clanton and Kim Smith. His niece, Lori Qualls, (a nurse) drove 2.5 hours through the eclipse to help keep him comfortable in his final hours. A memorial service will be held 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 9 at Cascade High School Gymnasium, 1165 Bell Buckle Wartrace Road, Wartrace, TN 37183. A variety of speakers including former basketball players, teachers, and friends will reminisce about Coach Cotham’s life between the (1965 - 1972) Bell Buckle Blue Devils and (1973 - 1989) Cascade Champions. His family will have a private service at his camp in Lobelville, TN to scatter his ashes. Those wishing to sign Coach’s guestbook may do so at feldhausmemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association online. James was born May 30, 1936 in Linden, Tennessee to Byron Whitwell and Bynum Cotham. His mother died of cancer when he was 11 years old. His stepmother and former school teacher, Ethel Kimble Cotham greatly impacted his life in education. He graduated high school in 1955 and was a member of Perry County’s state winning basketball team during the 1954-55 season. With a student population of 167, “Little Linden” beat teams ten times their size. This was before A, AA, AAA classifications. James was a coach, mentor, teacher, and bus driver to many students. He loved to golf, hunt, and fish with family and friends. James has two living sisters, Margaret Landers (Etowah, TN) and Dorris Parnell (Nashville, TN). He was preceded in death by his sister Dean Anderson (Linden, TN). Coach was extremely proud of his four granddaughters Blair Nicole Clanton, Kaley Beth Clanton, Lauren Hope Clanton, and Alison Faith Smith.