Michael C. Cothran, 64, of Birmingham, died peacefully Saturday June 9, 2012 at the Birmingham VA Medical Center Safe Harbor Unit. Michael was born May 12, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, Florida where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation he followed in his family's long tradition of military service dating back to the Civil War by volunteering for service in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his commissioning as a second lieutenant he served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam. Following his discharge he returned to school and received a master's degree from the University of Alabama, and was serving as a professor of Anthropology at Jefferson State Community College when he retired in 2009. He is survived by his mother Mary Cothran, sister Lieutenant Colonel Toby Papas (U.S. Army Retired), and brother-in-law Colonel Dino Papas (U.S. Army Retired), all of Williamsburg, Virginia. Michael was preceded in death by his father U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer (Retired) Russell S. Cothran. As a child Michael could be seen tagging along with his Navy father on weekends and became known as "Little Chief." Daddy and Michael are together again. Our special thanks go to the VA Medical Center MICU and Safe Harbor units for his final care.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 12:30 PM at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 6:00 at Johns-Ridout’s Funeral Parlors, Southside.
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