James Lynn Cottingham, age 70, of Bella Vista, AR passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. He was born on September 30, 1953, in Fort Benning, GA to James Calvin and Sara Frances Burdett Cottingham. He was a retired battalion chief for the Henry County Fire Department in McDonough, GA.

Jim dedicated his life to the service of others. Jim first served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1972 through 1977. He served as an interpreter and linguist in a specialized unit tasked with intercepting and deciphering enemy intelligence prior to serving as an Electronics Mechanic on SR-71 Blackbirds.

Jim then served as a firefighter, EMT, and advanced paramedic for the City of Morrow in Clayton County, Georgia.

In 1982, he was introduced to Christ, and his desire to serve changed trajectory. His passion became saving lost souls in addition to healing the physical body. He began missionary training in 1982 with New Tribes Mission and spent the next 10 years serving the Lord in various capacities as a missionary. Jim again put his language learning skills to work to help establish a ministry with the Miu people of West New Britain, Papua New Guinea, leaving behind a legacy of believers in a church now pastored by a national believer. Some of Jim's most cherished memories are of working in the jungles with the Miu people. Though a brief time due to family illness, those memories were close encounters with the Lord that he has never forgotten.

After returning to the states, Jim again served as a firefighter, EMT, and advanced paramedic, eventually advancing to the rank of battalion chief of the Henry County Fire Department. Towards the end of his time with Henry County Fire Department and through the oversight of the church we attended, Jim began going on mission trips to Nicaragua.  It wasn't long before the Lord moved in his heart to assist a young pastor to start up small home churches in the barrios.

Although his physical health eventually prevented him from traveling and participating in mission work overseas, missions remained his true passion, and he continued this legacy throughout the remainder of his days through both monetary support and faithful prayer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Peggy Elaine Hague.

He is survived by his wife, DeDe; his son, James T. Cottingham; his daughter, Stacey L. Berry; his brother, R. Wayne Cottingham; and four grandchildren, Justin M. Brown, Teagan K. Toney, Alexis C. Cottingham, and Sydney Elizabeth Cottingham. He's better known to family and friends as Jim, dad, and Poppy.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Village Baptist Church, 380 Glasgow Rd #3500, Bella Vista, AR 72715. Inurnment will be held at Fayetteville National Cemetery, 1000 S Lt. Col Leroy Pond Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701 at 2:30 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.