Lt. Col.Paul Cothern, Jr

Paul D. Cothern Jr. "Bud" age 85, died peacefully at his home in Olathe, Kansas on Christmas Eve after celebrating the holiday with family. Born in Pana, Illinois on 27 November 1927, Bud was the youngest of Paul D. Cothern and Addie (Potts) Cothern's three children.

He was active in the Boy Scouts, a member of the Order of the Arrow, and became an Eagle Scout in 1941. Bud attended school in Pana where he participated in athletics and was elected to the National Honor Society, graduating in 1945. After high school, Bud attended Beloit College and continued his athletic pursuits as the starting quarterback for the varsity football squad and he also played basketball as a freshman. Unfortunately, Bud sustained a knee injury that ended his participation in athletics.

He returned to Pana and worked in the coal mine prior to his entry into the United States Army in 1951. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1952 as an Artillery 2nd lieutenant. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and was selected by the Pentagon to organize, train, and lead the 1st Battalion, 82nd Artillery in Vietnam, where he earned the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal and 4 battle stars on his Vietnam service medal. He retired from the United States Army in 1972 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Bud wedded Betty Jo Kloever in 1952 and they were married for 50 years until she died on Thanksgiving Day in 2002. Surviving are his son Michael Eugene Cothern and wife Cathy, of Swampscott, Ma.; his daughter Michele Ann Gaston (Shelly Cothern) and husband Eric, of Olathe, Ks.; and four grandchildren; Thomas and Christopher Cothern of Swampscott, Ma. and Casey and Samuel Gaston, of Olathe Ks.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two sisters, and a son who died shortly after childbirth.


Memorials are suggested to the Earl Collier American Legion Post #153, Olathe, KS.