Dallas Clyde Cotham, 90, died Friday, November 17, 2000, at Ninnescah Manor in Clearwater, Kansas.

He was born in Oregon County, Missouri, February 18, 1910, to Sular Emit Cotham and Rachel Catherine Underwood Cotham.

He married Irene Matthews in Stillwater June 18, 1938.

They lived in Stillwater until 1941 when they moved to California until he went into the service in 1943.

He was a Technician Fifth Grade with the 808 Engineer Aviation Battalion, Army Engineers. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Phillippine Liberation Ribbon, and one Bronze Star. He received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in June, 1944. He participated in battles and campaigns in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. When he returned they lived in Guthrie until 1948 when they moved to Stillwater.

He worked for Manhattan Construction Co. and other companies. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

He was a member of the Christian Union Church in Tryon, Guthrie Lodge number 35 and Guthrie Scottish Rite 32 degree. He received his 50 year pin for both in 1998.

On November 4, 2000, they moved to Clearwater, Kansas to be close to their son and his family.

He was predeceased by his parents and one brother, Willard H. Cotham.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Eldon R. Cotham and his wife, Nina, of Clearwater, Kansas; two grandchildren, Lee A. Cotham and his wife, Andrea, of Clearwater, Kansas; and Ann Cotham and her husband Cayle Eurton, of Haysville, Kansas; five great-grandchildren, Cole, Brady and Alexa Cotham, of Clearwater, Kansas and Austin and Javan Eurton, of Haysville, Kansas; one brother, Homer L. Cotham and his wife, Veretta, of Richardson, Texas and a sister in law, Mrs. Willard {Mary} Cotham, of Cushing, Oklahoma.

Services will be today at 2:00 p.m. at Strode Funeral Chapel. Ted Gibson will preside.

Interment will follow at Tryon Cemetery.

Strode Funeral Home is directing the arrangements.