John “Wom” Cothard, age 69 passed away on 2/20/2026, in Dallas, Texas. John was born in Buffalo, New York to Donald and Elizabeth Cothard, he was a loving father, a devoted Papa John, loyal brother, and true friend to so many who were lucky enough to know him. Anyone who met John knew immediately that he was a kind, gentle soul, and someone you wanted in your life.

John grew up in Tonawanda, New York. A few years after graduating from high school he set out with a group of friends for Dallas, Texas, where he met and married Linda who would give him the greatest joy of his life, his only daughter Stephanie (there was a joke that all the Yankee men moved to Texas to marry big city women). He worked in construction and would later become a construction manager for
IDEA Construction where he would stay until he retired.

Being from Buffalo of course John was a Buffalo Bills fan, which is tricky here in Dallas. He did come to find his team here though in the Dallas Stars, (At least he was able to see one of his teams win a championship!) Go STARS!

In 2006, John reconnected with an old friend Pam, who would turn out to be the love of his life, they were married in a beautiful ceremony in Hawaii in 2008 and built a wonderful life together. Although their time here together was short, they lived and loved every minute of it together. They traveled anywhere and everywhere and were season ticket holders for the Dallas Stars. The two of them enjoyed a love of music and they could be found at a concert together any night of the week, they enjoyed a love to last beyond time. John and Pam had a great once-in-a-lifetime love and with that love brought so many extended family members and friends together, who know they are together again.

Survived by his daughter Stephanie Cothard, sister Kathy Laubenthal, brother Donald Cothard (Candace), Stepdaughter Tracey Monjure (Tim Monjure), Stepson Dustin (Heather), granddaughters Anna and Andrea Morris, grandsons Tyler Monjure, Harrison and Wallace Kethley, and granddaughter Harper Kethley. Along with so many extended family members and friends.

Preceded in death by his mother and father Donald and Elizabeth Cothard, brother Pete Cothard, sister Bethann Roberts, wife Patricia Whitley, Stepdaughter Anita James, love of his life Pamela Cothard.

A Celebration of his life will be held March 5, 2026 2:00pm at Eastgate Funeral Home 12973 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Garland, TX 75041.

Stephanie requests that you please wear Buffalo Bills blue, Dallas Stars black and green or John’s favorite color purple to the service in honor of her dad.