Michael M. Cotherman

Michael Mathews Cotherman died on April 21, 2026, just a couple months before his 73rd birthday. Mike was born on Flag Day, 1953, and well into adulthood was of the opinion that the annual display of flags was in his honor. More than once he thanked his Mom for arranging that salute to his day of birth. Mike was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the middle of three rambunctious boys and a baby sister. His parents were Richard L. Cotherman and Audrey (Mathews) Cotherman. Mike is survived by his son Zach and grandson Tristan, mother Audrey, brothers Steve (Mary) and Bruce (Robin), sister Gen, five nieces and nephews (Matthew, Angela, Aaron, Chloe and Jessica) and four grand nieces and nephews (Aidan, Kensie, Kaia and Edward). He was preceded in death by his father Richard and wife Phyllis.

Mike was a lifelong music lover. He and his brother formed their first air-guitar band in 1964 and Mike could wax eloquent on heavy metal for as long as his listener would let him. In junior high and high school he swam competitively on the YMCA swim team. As a teenager he loved golfing at the old municipal course with his brothers and family friends; those outings were more about looking for lost balls than actually playing golf. Mike also loved drawing and created hundreds of images during his lifetime.

Mike was the proud, hardworking owner of Cotherman’s Cross Town Movers, which he and Phyllis founded in 1973 and operated for 40 years. Mike and Phyllis loved the great outdoors and discovering new places. They visited Mexico and other exotic locales to relax and scuba dive, enjoy local food and experience other cultures. As the Blind Minstrel and Star Witch, Mike and Phyllis were active in the Crimson Dawn annual mid-summer’s eve celebration during the 1980s and ‘90s and volunteered for Canines For Charity dog sled races and the Casper Mountain Fire District.

Mike played a central role in his immediate family and the lives of many, many friends and acquaintances. His dry and droll sense of humor, his kindness and generosity of spirit, and his compassionate view of the world touched us all and enlivened many a social gathering. He would say yes to any request for help, which from time to time led to great adventures; he especially loved helping his brother Bruce and nephew Matthew with their farms in northern California and western Colorado. Mike was always happiest when working hard and helping others.

Mike’s thread in his close-knit family will remain intact, strong and unraveled. He represented the best of humanity. Mike’s light will continue to shine brightly. Recently, Mike encountered a feral cat in his yard; he told us that he would never feed it. The next week he was feeding it. Then he said he would never let it in the house; within days it was coming and going as it pleased. A few days later he was adamant about letting it sleep in the house; soon Mike and the cat, who he named Willie Attack, were cuddling up every night. Willie kneaded little bread loaves in his beard all nightlong. Mike didn’t seem to mind. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about Mike.

A celebration of life for Mike will be held in June, on or around his birthday. Details to follow.