John Michael Cottingham

John Michael Cottingham (Mike) 2/23/1947 -- 9/5/2017 John Michael Varie (Cottingham) was born on February 23rd, 1947 in Deadwood South Dakota as the son of Ray Varie and Patricia Jane Schmidt Varie. He was welcomed into the family by two older brothers, Ray and James (Jim), and two older sisters, Dorothy and Patricia (Patsy). Unfortunately, after a divorce the children would lose contact with their father before they were old enough to form more than a handful of memories of him. They lived in California and Oregon before their mother took them back to her hometown of Lead, South Dakota, where she would meet and marry Robert Cottingham who legally adopted the five children from Pats first marriage. The family continued to grow with the birth of two more daughters, Leah and Bobbie. Robert's son from a previous marriage who shared his name was raised by an Aunt and Uncle (Jesse and Vernon Willhoite) in Mitchell, SD, but maintained close ties with the family throughout his lifetime. John was always called Mike by family and friends and he felt fortunate to grow up in Lead during the days when the Homestake Mining Company was active and provided many benefits for the town. His mother worked as a nurse, x-ray technician, and head lab technician at the Homestake Hospital while his stepfather worked as a contract miner and shift boss. Mike graduated from Lead High School in 1966 and continued his vocational training as a machinist. Mike is well known in the Northwest for his expertise related to Harley motorcycles. He built a shop and did mechanic work on them that included almost any type of repair, rebuild, tune-up and performance work. His work was exceptional and consequently he had a steady stream of repeat business. He had an innate gift for all things mechanical. He spent many years working as a millwright machinist and spent time boating, fishing and riding Harley motorcycles as well as target shooting in his leisure time. He loved Harleys and owned more than a few in his lifetime. Mike will be missed by his brothers and sisters as well as his special fiancee, PJ and his two little dogs Deja and Jaunty. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews,?, cousins, friends and one Uncle, Richard Varie.

John Michael Cottingham

February 23, 1947 - September 5, 2017