Timothy Howard Cotner, known to so many of us simply as Tim, and to his dear sister "Big Brother" passed away on October 23, 2026, in his beloved hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He was born there on December 2, 1953, and St. Louis remained home to him for most of his life. If you knew Tim, you knew where his heart lived. It lived with his people, his devotion to his mother, his family, and his friends came first and foremost always. That love was the thread that ran through everything he did. He was the kind of man who put the people he loved at the very center of his life and never once made them feel like anything less. Tim found his soulmate in his husband, Jim Vessell, and together they built a life full of warmth, laughter, and plenty of mischief, because Tim always loved a little mischief! He had a twinkle in his eye and a knack for stirring things up in just the right way, and honestly, we all loved him for it. He was a devoted Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and Brother, and most recently had the honor of earning the titles of Great Grandfather & Great-Great Uncle. Christmas was Tim's favorite time of year. He celebrated it the way he did everything, with his whole heart. Family gatherings meant matching Christmas pajamas and crazy socks; no holiday was complete without our annual trip to the movies on Christmas eve - all wearing our Santa hats! These were the moments he lived for, the silly traditions that turned ordinary days into treasured memories and brought everyone together under one roof - these are the memories our family will hold dearly for the rest of our lives. Away from the holidays, Tim poured himself into the things that brought him peace and purpose. He loved renovating his home and tending to his garden, where he felt most alive getting his hands in the dirt and watching his beautiful flowers bloom. He was always a standup neighbor, the sort who showed up and stayed involved in his community. Over the years, he gave his time generously, volunteering with Hospice and with local Food Pantries. It was never about recognition for Tim, it was simply who he was, a man who believed in taking care of others. He leaves behind so many who loved him dearly. He is survived by his husband, Jim Vessell; his daughter, Denny Zantout; his son, Mathew & beautiful wife Alicia Cotner; his loving sister, Cindy & husband John Young, along with his loving grandchildren, Ashley Phoenix Cotner, Nadine Zantout & partner Brandon McCall, Anas Zantout, Hailey & husband Luke Detering, Katelyn Cotner and Tyler Cotner; and great grandchild Henry Detering. His beloved nieces and nephews; Johnny Young, Jason & Adam Cotner; niece, Kimberly Young; great nephews, Jay & Lex Young, Lucas Cotner & Ryder Ambrose; and great nieces, Madison Jackson, Lily, Jovie & Lanie Young, Karleigh & Aubrey Cotner; and great-great niece, Miss Eden Jackson, who meant the world to him. The love he gave them will keep right on living in the way they remember him. Tim trusted his faith in God. We take comfort, too, knowing he is at peace and reunited with his mother Shirley Joan Jackson Cotner, his father Junior Howard Cotner, as well as his brother Larry Wayne Cotner, grandchild Sherine Zantout, and nephews Chad & Joshua Cotner who went before him. A Celebration of Life will be planned for all family and friends in 2027, when the flowers are in bloom, as that is exactly how Dad would have wanted it. He loved his garden, and it feels right to gather and remember him surrounded by the kind of beauty he spent so much of his life nurturing. In lieu of flowers, Dad asked that donations be made in his memory to AIDS research through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.orghttps://donation-us.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/page/givenow2025 And in his own loving words, the ones he said so often and so well, I Love you more; I Love you best! Rest easy, Dad. We will carry you with us, into every bloom and every Christmas morning, always.

Arrangements with the Horton-Wampler Funeral Home, 1 Federal Park Ave., Park Hills, Mo. 63601