James Cottington

Jim Cottington, 69, of Middleton, Wis., died on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Jim was born on April 12, 1947 at Madison General Hospital (Meriter) in Madison, the first of three sons to Harold and Hazel Cottington.  Jim graduated from Middleton High School in 1965. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1970. Jim worked for the Allied-Signal Corporation, Syracuse Works in Solvay, New York from 1970 to 1986. He was promoted to a Supervisor in the Energy and Engineer-Technical Syracuse Works from 1978 to 1986 and supervised up to seven technical personnel.  In 1986 Jim worked for Allis-Chalmers Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin till 1988. He assisted former Allis-Chalmers employees from the previous Coal-Gas project with review of instrumentation for a proposed gasifier to be installed in Greece under a NATO contract.  In 1989 Jim worked for the Public Service Commission - Engineering Division in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a Pipeline Safety Engineer and his primary responsibility was to review and inspect the State's fifteen natural gas distribution utilities for compliance with State and Federal Safety codes.  From 1989 to 1997 Jim work as a Project Engineer at the Badger Ammunition Plant in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He helped modernized the Sulfuric Acid Regeneration plant's decomposition furnace acid and fuel system. He also served as lead project engineer for a $1.8 million modernization of an automated Nitroglycerin facility.  In 1997 Jim worked as a Plant Manager at the M-I L.L.C. manufacturing facility in Appleton, Wisconsin until the plant closed in 2001. He helped staff the plant with a trained work force at levels commensurate with the required levels of production and provided quality products in a safe, timely, and efficient manner at the lowest product and plant operating costs.  Jim enjoyed playing softball many years in Syracuse, New York, Fitchburg, Madison, and pitching in the Greater Madison Senior Softball League (GMSS). He also enjoyed playing cards with his friends, Ken, Frank, Bruce, Paul, Larry, and brothers Tom and John. He planned 25+ years of Brewer Tailgate parties with softball teammates and friends and he also planned and organized the annual St. Luke's Harold Cottington Brewer Memorial Bus Trip.  Jim is survived by his brothers, John (Linda) of Fitchburg, Tom of Middleton; niece, Amy Cottington (Shane Russell); daughter, Nina of Brooklyn; son, Trey of Brooklyn; nephew, Jay Cottington (Hayley Bolinder) of Fitchburg; and many cousins living in Minnesota, Maryland, and the Green Bay area.  A Memorial Service will be held at ST. LUKE'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017 with visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Middleton Outreach Ministry (M.O.M.), or to St. Luke's Lutheran Church (Harold Cottington Brewer Memorial Fund).  The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses on the 7th Floor, ICU at Meriter Hospital and also Pastor Roger, Pastor Heather and staff for their extended prayers and visits. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761