James “Jim” Lloyd Cottingham, 81, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away on August 12, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.

Jim lived a life defined by love, kindness, laughter, and, above all, family. He never knew a stranger and had a way of making everyone he met feel welcome. His unmistakable smile and dimples brought smiles to those around him, and his warmth left an impression on countless people throughout his life.

Jim was born on June 27, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama. On May 29, 1970, he married his beautiful wife, Ruth Ann. Together, they shared more than 56 years of marriage and built a beautiful family filled with love and laughter.

Of all the things Jim treasured throughout his life, nothing made him prouder than his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, a beloved father, and, to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was simply Papa. He loved spending time with the people he loved and especially enjoyed looking out over the beach from the balcony.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, his sons, Mark Dean Cottingham (Delia), and Reed Shan Cottingham (Carol), and his daughter, Melody Ann Shipley (Christopher), and his grandchildren, Ryan (Jordyne), Joey (Wynn), Logan (Kristi), Katya (Hunter), Julianne (Justin), Brennan (Grace), Thomas, Kerstyn (Tyler), Kylea, Lauklan (Samantha), Ameliah, Greyson, Andrew, Aislinn (Preston), and his ten wonderful great-grandchildren.

We will have a public viewing on August 15, 2026, at 1 o’clock at Lohman’s Funeral Home Ormond Beach.

Papa taught those who knew him that, no matter your past, you should always choose kindness. He believed that a smile was the most beautiful part of a person and reminded his family often that family is everything.

Those lessons are the legacy he leaves behind. His family will miss his smile, his dimples, his laughter, and the love he gave so freely. But most of all, they will carry with them the example Papa set: smile often, be kind to everyone, and always put family first.

He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed. Until we meet again…