Thomas Philip Cote III

Phil was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He was a 1969 graduate of Central High School in Jackson, MS where he was a member of the ROTC. After graduation, Phil attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. While at USM, Phil was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. After four years of ROTC at USM, Phil was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Army Officer Basic and Advanced Course for Armor at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

After his graduation from Armor School, he was assigned to the Mississippi National Guard where he held several military positions. His first assignment was a Tactical Officer with the Mississippi Military Academy, later becoming a Platoon Leader with C Company 1/155th Infantry in Brookhaven then to Detachment 1, C Company in Port Gibson. He was later assigned as Community Relations Officer with the 102nd Public Affairs Detachment in Jackson. Phil was assigned to the State Headquarters in 1984 as Contracting Administrator in the Facilities Management Office. Later, he was assigned as the Budget Officer which is the position he held until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. Phil received numerous awards and decorations during his years of service in the Mississippi National Guard.

Phil is preceded in death by parents Dr. Thomas Philip Cote, Jr. and Jeanette Fuente Cote of Jackson, MS; grandparents Andrew Ramon and Elizabeth Necaise Fuente of Gulfport, MS; Dr. Thomas Philip Cote, Sr. and Dorothy Logue Cote of Jackson, MS.

Survivors are siblings Elizabeth “Cissy” Arender (Gene) of Franklin, TN, Lisa McGinley (Dave) of Cabot, AR, Andy Cote (Tara) of Madison, MS, Tim Cote (Diane) of Spencer, OK, Henry Cote (Beth) of Jackson, MS. Phil is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and special friend Paula Looney.

Due to the COVID pandemic, a private graveside service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157. Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS is handling arrangements.