John William Cothern

Well, I think it is really "IRONIC" to get this link today! Last night I watched an segment on TV about Gatorade. And that got me thinking back to my days as a student trainer at Memphis State, now the Univ. of Memphis.
I graduated high school in 1966, as did John. I was on scholarship as a Student Trainer in the fall of 1966. John had also graduated high school that year, and started as a student football team manager in 1966. Of course, because of 2 a days, starting in the Summer, we bot had to go to work long before regular school started for the year. John and I eventually ended up sharing a room in the athletic dorm our 2nd semester. He had a red Corvair, and I did not have my own car. So when I met my future wife during when the Spring semester, I borrowed John's car to take her on a date.
I continued as a student trainer, for 3 years, and John continued as a student manager for the next 4 years.
Of course John did better than I did academically, and waited longer to get married.
He also improved his academic credentials and got into the schools' academic political hierarchy.
John was a great roommate, a good friend, and predicted "I was going to marry that girl" which I did.
Last night my wife of 50+ years and I were watching TV, and there was a special on the FOOD Network about GATORADE.
When it came out, nothing else was like it. Memphis State was one of the schools that got Gatorade to try in 1966, during 2 a days practice, and the managers had to get it mixed, and the team drank it that Summer, and MSU participated in the original trials.
And here today, I just had to share a memory when his obituary memorial popped up on my PC!?!?
John was a good friend, one of my best men, and an outstanding administrator, at both Memphis and MTSU.
Interestingly enough, After I retired form the Memphis and Shelby County Health Dept., I went to work for the TN Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Dairy Division. I was Food Manufacturing and Dairy Inspector, and many of my trips to Nashville included meetings at MTSU. Although I never got to connect with John then, I just had to leave a comment when this popped up on my PC, while I was doing something completely UNRELATED!

Don't tell me "There is no God"! Don't tell me "He does not work in mysterious ways."

I'd say this little blip in my life shows "There is a God", "He's watching over us all", and "We'll all meet again 'One of these days"!
What else could it mean?

My sincerest sympathy to all John's family and friends. I do include myself among his friends. John and I met at Memphis State University. We started the same year, '66, he as a student manager with the football Tigers, and I as a student trainer. We shared a dormitory room in Robinson Hall, the athletic dorm., for several semesters, the first of which was the Spring of '67. I came in one night, having borrowed John's Corvair, from a date to the circus with a girl I had met through a former classmate at White Station High . After I got back to the dorm and we talked some, he said " You are going to marry that girl".
He was right. I did.
John was one of my groomsmen in our wedding.
We did not keep in close contact over the years, but our paths did cross a couple of times, one professionally, and one at a Harding High School football game. He was working in the concession stand at Harding, and our daughter was a cheerleader at Memphis Preparatory School.
I always considered John a friend, and knew if anyone ever needed him for anything, he could be counted on to do what he could to help.
I share your loss of a friend, former associate, and maybe even "fortune teller"!
May God give you comfort and peace in this time.

We just learned of John passing.Don and I so shocked.we shared many memories in Memphis.
To sweet Debbie, John and Joanie we send prayers.
My eyes are full of tears as I write.

John was a dear long time friend and colleague of my father, Dr. R. Eugene Smith at the University of Memphis and both eventually with MTSU. Our family sends our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the Cothern family. The state of Tennessee has lost one of it's finest and he was instrumental in the explosive eras at both schools. One of the finest men that I have ever met in my lifetime and he will be greatly missed by the Smith family and all of those who knew him.

I worked for John many years while he was at the University of Memphis. A finer man you will not meet. Prayers for the family. RIP JWC. Sheila Ogburn

Burt, my prayers are with you with the loss of John. You know I love you cous. Deborah Brown.

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Mr. Cothern. I knew him from working at the University of Memphis. He was well thought of and respected. My condolences to his family.

Dr. Cothern was always very kind to me. He is apart of my "story" that I will never forget. If it were not for him, I would not have been able to get my masters degree from the University of Memphis. Through his recommendation, I was able to receive a Graduate Assistantship which covered my entire tuition and I am forever grateful. You will be missed, Dr. Cothern.

Sincerely,
Crystal Ellis

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Cothern. I'm employed at MTSU and my daughter worked in his office as a student worker. He was always so kind and good to her. Keeping the family in my thoughts and prayers.