OBITUARY: Wright Johnson Cotter

Wright Johnson Cotter, 91 of Galatia, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at Willowbrook in Effingham.

​Mr. Cotter was born on April 22, 1923, to Maud and Sam Cotter. He married Mary Lucille Milligan of Galatia on June 24, 1947. They were married 67 years in June of this year.

​Mr. Cotter was a lifelong farmer in the Galatia area. In the late '50s and early '60s he owned Cotter Chevrolet Dealership in Ridgway. Wright stayed active in buying and selling cars for many years. He loved farming, horses and working with his hands. Favorite activities were trading machinery, attending farm auctions and visiting. Mr. Cotter was a Mason and member of the American Legion.

​Survivors include his wife, Lucille and four children, Thomas (Debbie) Cotter of Galatia, Dorothy (Randell) Smith of Annapolis, Susan (David) Patton of Bloomington and Timothy (Renee') Cotter of Effingham. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jonathan Cotter, Andrea Lannom, Christopher Smith, Randa Wilder, Steven Smith, Samuel Patton, Audra Utterback, Emily Drake and Josh Cotter and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother-in-law and several beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

​Mr. Cotter was in the Army during World War II and served his country at the Battle of the Bulge as well as many other battles. He was very proud of this and stayed involved with his fellow service members of the 83rd Infantry.

​He was preceded in death by his parents, Maud and Samuel Cotter.

​Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, with 7 p.m. Masonic rites at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home with interment at Durham Cemetery in Galatia with military honors. Donations may be made to Durham Cemetery, Long Branch Baptist Church, Ridgway Baptist Church or donor's choice.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com