Theodore Scott Cotman

Theodore Scott Cotman, age 83, of Gulfport, peacefully passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Scott was born and raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and met his wife, Bonnie Jean, while stationed at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Georgia.  Scott and Bonnie Jean moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast upon his assignment to Keesler Air Force Base and decided to make the Mississippi Gulf Coast their forever home.

Scott proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for over 25 years and continued his commitment by teaching electronics to new airmen at Keesler Air Force Base following his retirement.  He later earned his master’s degree in business management from the University of Southern Mississippi, and taught Statistics and Economics at the former Phillip’s Junior college on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Scott received various medals, including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

After his full retirement, Scott spent his time golfing, fishing, traveling, and spending time with family.

For over 60 years, Scott was a devoted husband, loving and caring for his wife, Bonnie until her passing in November 2021. A loving father to his three children, teaching them valuable life lessons as well as how to boat, fish and golf. 

Family and friends were always welcome at Scott and Bonnie’s home. They were often found visiting with friends and family at the shed. This was the neighborhood hub for numerous fish fry’s crab/crawfish boils and cook outs.

Scott was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Jean Cotman; parents, Ted M. and Bernice Cotman; and sisters, Janis Cotman DeCamillis and Becky Cotman Salzseider.

Survivors include his sons, Theodore S. Cotman, Jr. (Teresa Cotman) and Tod H. Cotman (Nancy Stone Cotman); daughter, Trish A. Misko (Ken Brumelow); sister, Barbara Zerr; 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Cotman Walker (Britt Walker), Lindsey Cotman (Ben Spohn), Madeline Cotman Moses (Kirk Moses), Truitt Cotman-Peterman (Louis Peterman), Jack Henry Cotman, Sawyer Cotman, Colin Anthony Misko, Austin Scott Misko; and 4 great-grandchildren, Reese Walker, Lilly Walker, Maverick Joachim, Maddox Joachim.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Cotman family.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be made in memory of Theodore Scott Cotman to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation T2T.org