Jackson "David" Cothrun was born on November 15, 1930 in Santa Rita, New Mexico to his loving parents Jay Dee and Chris Cothrun. David's family moved around quite a bit and he ended up the Miami AZ where he graduated as a proud Miami Vandal.He was drafted in the Korean War where he spent his time as a combat photographer. He came back and married Billie Burns and started college at ASU, Oregon State and ended with a Doctorate in Botany at Oklahoma State. He started his career as a Junior college Biology professor and moved on to administration where he ended his educational career as President of Taft College for 22 years.During his tenure at Taft College, he expanded the child care program, started the dental hygiene and nursing programs and one of his highest achievements is the Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program for adults with intellectual  disabilities to be able to live one their own or with minimal help. This program will receive an International Award/Recognition in Vienna in February 2020.David married Sandra Carr Farren when he moved to Taft and they had many happy years together. He was very involved in Taft by serving on the Chamber of Commerce, Westec  Advisory Board, Taft Historic Fort Board of Directors, Water District Board and is a Life Time Member of the Taft Rotary Club. He was an active board member until he was 88. His hobbies included wood working, welding and VW truck restoration and spending time with his family. David was a man of many talents and accomplishments and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.David is preceded in death by his parents Jay Dee and Chris Cothrun, his brother Gary Cothrun and his wife Sandra Carr Farren. Those who will live on in his memory are daughters Sherri and Christie Cothrun, three stepdaughters, Cindy and Gary Cothrun, his niece and nephew, and eight grandchildren.