Frank Cottam of McKinney, Texas passed away on October 19, 2019 at the age of 88. He was born on January 19, 1931 to Frank Cottam, an Episcopal Minister for the Church of England, and Elizabeth (Wilson) Cottam, in Sheffield, England. At 17, Frank left home and moved to Australia to join the Royal Australian Navy; where he served as a communications specialist. After discharge, Frank completed his studies in Perth, West Australia, working as a taxi driver and playing Australian Rules Football for his College.
Frank married Elaine Joy (Pigott) on July 25, 1959 in Norwood, South Australia. He worked in the financial sector, selling life insurance to supplement the income he received from playing professional Australian Rules Football. In 1962, Frank received notification from U.S. Immigration Services that the work-visa application he submitted years before, while serving in the Royal Australian Navy, had been approved and that he was authorized to enter the United States. Never one to pass on an adventure, Frank and Joy immigrated to the United States in early 1963 with son, Andrew, settling in Santa Monica, California. Frank and Joy welcomed son, Mark, later that year and daughter, Christina, in late 1964. The roots of the "American" Cottam Family were sewn in the early 1960s, thanks to Frank’s adventurous spirit, driven work ethic and unyielding belief in the American Dream.
Frank had a distinguished 45-year career in the financial sector, earning his certificate as a Certified Financial Planner in 1986. During his career, Frank was an entrepreneur, self-employed business owner, avid investor and innovator in the insurance and annuities markets. On September 4, 1996, Frank became a proud U.S, Citizen and voted in his first Presidential Election in 1998. Frank loved his USC Trojans (Fight On), the game of golf, yellow Labradors - Ferguson, Max, Mercedes and Zoe, and 1977 Mercedes 450SL. But above everything else, he loved his Family, which he referred to as his greatest accomplishment right up to the day he passed.
Frank was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Elizabeth Cottam; sisters, Hilda Cottam and Mary Cottam, and his beloved wife, Elaine Joy, on October 22, 1979. Eleven years later, Frank married Carol Lea (Baker) on July 21, 1990. Carol and Joy were great friends who had a special love for Frank; and in turn, shared his heart during his journey in life.
Frank is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Carol Cottam of McKinney, Texas; son, Kim Redshaw and wife, Jenny of Darwin, Australia; son, Andrew Cottam and wife, Shawn of Oxnard, California; son, Mark Cottam and wife, April of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Christina Fortney and husband, Grant of Ojai, California; daughter, Kara Uhlenbrock and husband, Richard of St. Louis, Missouri; grandson, Taurean Smithe and wife, Sarah, of Brooklyn, New York; grandson, Kyle Smithe and wife, Tory of Sacramento, California; granddaughter, Danielle Manning and partner, Bill of Los Angeles, California; grandson, Alexander Cottam and wife, Alexandra of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Joy Thompson and husband, John of Point Mugu Naval Air Station, California; grandson, Zachary Cottam, of McKinney, Texas; granddaughters, Hope Cottam and Faith Cottam of Oxnard, California; grandsons, Joseph Uhlenbrock and William Uhlenbrock of St. Louis, Missouri; granddaughter, Caroline, of St. Louis, Missouri; great-grandson, Finn Smithe, of Sacramento, California; great-grandson, Spencer Manning, of Los Angeles, California; brother, Harold Cottam and wife, Lyn, of London, England, and brother, Philip Cottam and wife, Hazel, of London England.
As a family, we are forever indebted to our patriarch and grateful for the time we spent with him during this wonderful life. He lived the American Dream and made it possible for all of us to do the same. You will be missed by all, but more than that, you will be remembered for the special man that lived life each and every day, loved life to the fullest and gave life and love to all.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX 75013. Inurnment will follow at San Fernando Mission Catholic Cemetery in Mission Hills, California, at a later date.