FORT COLLINS, CO — James Joseph “J.J.” Cotter, 61, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Dec. 8, 2016, with his wife Joanie by his side. He was born Feb. 17, 1955, in Billings, Montana, to Samuel and Emma (Uzelac) Cotter. He graduated from Billings West High in 1973, then attended Montana State University Bozeman and Eastern Montana College.

J.J. was a Petroleum Landman for 38 years. He married Joan Therese Santos in Red Lodge, Montana in 1998, and quickly turned her into a Landman too. Together the couple moved all across the country gathering countless good friends who still remain close and have become extended family. They eventually settled in Fort Collins but J.J.’s soul never left the mountains of Montana.

J.J. truly loved all aspects of life from outdoor adventure to reading a good book. In his younger years he could be found hunting, fishing or patrolling the ski runs at Red Lodge Mountain. He became a pilot and loved to share the experience of flying with loved ones while seeing remote parts of the country. Later in life he took off his skis but continued to enjoy flying, boating, barbequing, fine dining and the occasional cocktail or two. Mostly J.J. cherished time with Joanie and his innumerable friends who were all charmed by his wit, warmth, generosity and honesty.

In addition to his wife Joanie, J.J. is survived by his sister Mary Jo (Ernie) Woods of Billings, nephew Lucas Woods, Aunt Dorothy Uzelac of Red Lodge, Uncle Tom (Vera) Uzelac of Billings, the Uzelac and Cotter families, brother-in-law Jim (Suzanne) Santos and their children Mara, Talia and Michael, brother-in-law Joe (Susan) Santos and their daughters Nicole and Amanda, and brother-in-law Jeff (Jennifer) Santos and their sons John, Justin and Joey. J.J. is preceded in death by his parents.

Per J.J.’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. Friends and family can honor his life at a cocktail party on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 4–7 p.m., at the Billings Petroleum Club. Another gathering will be held in Denver on Jan. 21, place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, J.J.’s family asks memorial contributions be made to Make-A-Wish Montana at http://site.wish.org/site/TR/FriendsandFamily/Make-A-WishMontana?px=3453373&pg=personal&fr_id=2337 or the charity of one’s choice. A direct link to J.J.’s Make-A-Wish webpage can also be found on his on-line obituary at www.allnutt.com. Alternatively, checks can be mailed to Make-A-Wish Montana, 175 N. 27th Street, Suite 1214, Billings, MT 59101.

https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/james-joseph-j-j-cotter/article_31ce97a0-da6d-5eca-a8c6-f1aee3d1d70d.html