KELLY THOMPSON COTTINGHAM
1968-2019
Kelly Thompson Cottingham, age 50, died peacefully in Conroe, Texas on Friday, the 1st of February 2019, surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born in Houston, Texas on the 29th of September 1968, to his loving parents Almeria Thompson Cottingham and Charles Daniel “Chuck” Cottingham Jr.
Kelly was 6’8” and a gentle giant with a hilarious sense of humor, who never met a stranger. He was generous, easy-going, fun-loving and left a permanent mark on everyone that knew him. Kelly’s storied educational career started at Mrs. Awty’s preschool in Houston, Second Baptist School, then off to Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts. He came back home to Houston to attend and be a part of the first graduating class of Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas. He continued his education in Austin at the University of Texas, where he earned a BBA degree.
Kelly was an entrepreneur and private investor in several successful startups including a record label, a saltwater aquarium company and a commercial sign company. Following in the footsteps of his father, Kelly also spent a lot of time learning the art of commodities trading. He had a tireless work ethic and a heart of gold that made a difference in many lives, especially in the recovery community. Kelly loved his family, his daughter, his friends, music, cooking and riding his motorcycle across the beautiful Texas landscape.
He is preceded in death by his father Charles D. “Chuck” Cottingham Jr. and his brother Charles D. “Danny” Cottingham III. Kelly is survived by his mother Almeria Thompson Cottingham, his daughter Haley McKay Cottingham, his sister Leila Cottingham Thorne, his brother Michael Buchanan Cottingham (Kerry Beth), and three nephews, Mason, Stephen and Nicholas.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 7th of February, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., Rector, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made through: The Council on Recovery, Attn: Judy Johnson, P.O. Box 2768, Houston, TX 77252 (http://councilonrecovery. org) (713) 942-4100.