James L. Cotesworth

     James L. Cotesworth of South Russell, Ohio passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, April 30 at age 90. Born June 30, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio to James Fox and Ruth Naomi   Cotesworth, “Jimmy” was a welcome addition to the family according to his older sister, Barbara Cotesworth (Andrews), who was always quick to share that when she was young, she begged her parents for a younger brother! Jim treasured his memories of summers spent as a young boy at Woodnorton, the Norton estate in Mentor, with sister Barbara and parents. He attended Cleveland Heights High School where he met his beloved wife of 68 years, Marilyn Shurter Cotesworth. Both sang in the Heights High Choir under the direction of George F. Strickling and toured Europe performing with the choir in 1953. Jim and Marilyn went on to attend Miami University together, Jim as a member of Theta Chi fraternity, and Marilyn, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Graduating in 1958, they proudly became a “Miami Merger” when they married June 14, 1958. Jim served two years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, based in Ozona, Texas, where daughter Kelli was born in 1960. He went to work for Ohio Bell in Dayton, Ohio in 1961, where daughter Wendi was born in 1962. With nearly each job promotion at “Ma Bell” as he called it, came an accompanying move for the family … from Dayton to Steubenville to Zanesville and finally Columbus. While in Columbus, the family lived just doors from legendary football coach Woody Hayes, with Jim and Marilyn rarely missing a home game at the Shoe to cheer on his always beloved Buckeyes. Jim left Ohio Bell and moved the family to Chagrin Falls in 1971, where he and Marilyn found their dream home. Appropriately named “Meadowood,” it became a popular gathering spot and the place of many special events and celebrations through the years. Christmas season was a favorite there, with Marilyn decorating the home for weeks. Jim’s job was to transport the pre-selected, 20-foot Blue Spruce Christmas tree from Arrowhead by tractor trailer, drag it through the small back door, hoist it up and secure it to a wall and ceiling beam. This always required a small team of Jim’s favorite family/friend recruits! Jim relished the time he spent aboard his bright orange Kubota tractor while cutting grass around the property. He also loved taking drives with Marilyn, listening to HIS favorite tunes, often stopping at antique shops to search for special treasures to add to their collection. Jim was a pioneer in the Interconnect telecommunications industry, working for Arcata Communications, Litton Business Telephone Systems, and Electronic Engineering. In 1980, he founded J. L. Cotesworth & Associates Telecommunications Advisory Services, a consulting firm specializing in customized telephone systems for clients, primarily large law firms and hospitals at the time. Other than Meadowood, Jim’s “happy place” was at Camp Mae~Bob in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where he and the family vacationed each summer, and after retirement, where he and Marilyn lived spring through fall. He founded the Wintoon Fly-Fishing Club, was a member of the DeBruce Fly-Fishing Club, served on the Board of the Beaver Dam Fishing Club, and spent hours fishing or teaching his grandsons to fish in crystal clear Catskill rivers and streams. Jim was a larger-than-life, fun-loving, thoughtful and generous man who was completely devoted to his friends and family. He always loved a good party, a late afternoon of “Gracious Living” on the front porch at Beaver Dam, and the Fourth of July, complete with fireworks … preferably those selected, purchased, lit and set off by him! Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn (Mert!); sister Barbara Andrews; daughters Kelli McLellan and Wendi Bomback (Ron); grandsons Jantzen McLellan (Rachael), Brent Bomback, Cameron McLellan (Catherine), Wes Bomback (Molly); granddaughter Lyndee (Andrew) Dooley; great-grandchildren Cole, Emma, Graham and Lincoln, and many good friends, names too numerous to mention, but all of whom meant the world to him. The family thanks and will forever be grateful for the loving care Jim received from the amazing team at Traditions Hospice, his loyal, compassionate, live-in caregivers from Cherished Companions, and from the fantastic, faithful volunteers at Meals-On-Wheels. The family plans for a private burial service at the Gates Mills South cemetery. Jim’s death leaves a huge void in the lives of those who knew him best, yet he will live on forever through the many great memories we all were fortunate to make, and the love we shared, with this incredible man.

Arrangements by Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home Chagrin Falls, OH. www.stroudlawrence.com

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