James Kevin Cotter
July 25, 1931 ~ June 9, 2021
Jim (Kevin as he was known in Rhode Island) was one of seven sons born in Providence, RI to Mary Elizabeth (Tierney) and John W Cotter. He attended LaSalle Academy High School and worked for the Providence Journal for a couple years before joining the Air Force, serving from 1951-1955, including 12 months in Korea. It was during his time in the Air Force that he met June on a blind date in St Albans, VT. They were married in 1955. After leaving the Air Force, he went to work for the Central Intelligence Agency in the Office of Communications, retiring in 1981. He then went on to work for Unisys for several years. Jim/Kevin was a resident of Vienna, VA from 1960 until 2019 and a part-time resident of South Bethany Beach, DE, where he and June owned a beach house for 40 years. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and a Sacristan. He was also a driver for Meals on Wheels for many years. Known for his deadpan humor and ability to make friends wherever he went, he will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.
Kevin is survived by his wife June Caroline (Wright) Cotter; children Kevin (Maureen), Janice (Eric), Bill (Anne) and Patricia (Mike); 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and brother Emmett J Cotter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org)
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 16, 11:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church; 8601 Wolftrap Rd SE, Vienna, VA. The family will receive friends from 10:00-10:50am. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Kevin is survived by his wife June Caroline (Wright) Cotter; children Kevin (Maureen), Janice (Eric), Bill (Anne) and Patricia (Mike); 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and brother Emmett J Cotter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org)
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 16, 11:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church; 8601 Wolftrap Rd SE, Vienna, VA. The family will receive friends from 10:00-10:50am. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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Jim, you are a great friend to me and my family. I love sharing a similar last name to you. I love swapping stories with you. You have a fantastic sense of humor, dry as it can be. I love seeing your eyes light up when we get together. You’re a smart guy, an honest guy, with a fabulous sense of humor. Ellen and I will miss seeing you. I personally have lost a good friend and a great guy to a better place. Norman Gotter
My sincere condolences to June and the Cotter family. A friend and colleague who we shared many wonderful memories in times past. God Bless, Rod Spangler
My deepest condolences to the Cotter family, and may great memories sustain you! Jim was devoted to his family and his religion and the Cotter family is very special to me. Jim and Russ started working at the CIA at the same time and June and I also became fast friends. When we were still living in DC Jim and June bought their house in Vienna. Russ and i thought they were crazy to do that because “it was so far away”. Before we had children we did things together. I remember a beach trip when June and I left the beach early so we could get ready for dinner and discovered that the guys had the key. We went back to the beach and couldn’t find them, so June and I went back to our motel and waited for hours for them to come. I don’t think we had dinner that night because Russ had bad sunburn on his feet and couldn’t get his shoes on. Always enjoyed when Jim and Russ would tell their Catholic and Protestant jokes. Jim had a great, dry sense of humor and I have many fond memories including Russ and I being invited to their beach house. Thank you, Jim, for being a great friend!
June and Family Please accept our condolences. I have many fond memories of Jim , Lane and Virginia Durgin
Aunt June and family, Carol and I were so sorry to hear of Uncle Kevin passing our thoughts and prayers are with you, we have so many fond memories of him, Love you uncle Rest in peace. love Stephen and Carol
Jim never met a stranger! No matter where he went, he was the life of the party with his witty comments, big smile and heart and lively Irish sense of humor! We will miss you, Jim but know you will be smiling down on June and your family and friends ! Elka and Peter Deede
Mr. Cotter was one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life. Always wanting to talk, even to a teenager. Always welcoming and inviting the “gang” down to the basement. Maybe one of the biggest pranksters and jokesters of all time, but always with a sincere heart of kindest. We really have lost one of the good ones. Our sincerest sympathy for Mrs. Cotter and ALL of the family.