John H. Cottey, MD

John was born July 11, 1934, in Kirksville, MO, to Louis Francis Cottey II and Elizabeth Mills (Higbee). He attended Lancaster High School and graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia. John attended medical school at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia and subsequently completed his internship and General Surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX. He practiced surgery for forty-one years.

John was a commissioned medical officer in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, during which time he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1970 while assigned to the United States Army Security Agency Field Station in Asmara, Ethiopia.

John was an avid reader and photographer, enjoyed travel, and loved his family dearly. He was a gentleman in the truest sense. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Survivors include John’s wife of 62 years, Donna Jean (Harbert); his brother James Edward Cottey; and his offspring: Dr. Christine Elizabeth (Cottey) Page of Dallas, TX; Lesley Llewellyn (Cottey) Gerrese JD and her husband, Johan Willem Gerrese JD of The Hague, Netherlands; Dr. John Higbee Cottey II and his wife Dr. Jessica Anne (Danforth) JD of Austin, TX; Dr. Jo Ellen Reeves (Cottey) Krueger with her husband Dr. Jeffery Keith Krueger of Dallas, TX; and son-in-law Thomas Jeffrey Page of Dallas, TX.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren -- Dr. Jessica Ariel (Page) Belmarez, Rachel Elizabeth (Page) Barrus, Spencer Patrick Page JD, Alexander Willem Gerrese, Adrian Maurits Gerrese, Madison Schuyler Cottey, John Higbee Cottey III (“Trace”), Jourdan Kealey Krueger, and Ryan Elizabeth Krueger – and one great-grandson, Lucas James Belmarez.

John was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Louis Francis Cottey III; a daughter, Martha Lynn Cottey; and a grandson, Philip Kinchen Page.

John was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

A private graveside service is planned for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to a charity of choice.