Gordon J. Kotkosky

Mr. K. passed into eternal rest at the age of 91 in the early morning hours of Friday, March 18, 2005 at Franciscan Care Center in Appleton. Gordon was born July 1, 1913 in Redgranite, Wisconsin, son of the late John and Anna (Ward) Kotkosky. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and did his post graduate work at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He taught in Mattoon, Wisconsin from 1935 to 1937, and then in the Kimberly School District from 1937 to 1976 where he retired as a band director. In 1946, following four years of service, Gordon was honorably discharged from the United States Coast Guard as a lieutenant. Gordon married the love of his life, Jeanne Fountain, on July 26, 1952 in Appleton. The couple had been married for fifty-two years. His passion was music – he joined the Kimberly Community Band in 1937 as a trumpet player. From 1957 to 1977 he conducted the band and continued to play the trumpet, and was a member of the Kimberly Community Band for sixty-two years. His other musical activities included directing the Holy Name Choir, member and later director of the Appleton MacDowell Male Chorus, and for many years played in many local orchestras. Gordon was a member of the Appleton B.P.O.E., the William Verhagen Post #60 of the American Legion, and the Wisconsin Bandmasters Association.

Survivors include his wife: Jeanne Kotkosky of Little Chute; three children: John (Roberta) Kotkosky of Waxhaw, North Carolina and their children Angela (Michael) Gaillard, Nicole Kotkosky, Michelle Kotkosky, and Nicole Thomas; Mark (Barbara) Kotkosky of Little Chute and their children Katelyn and Matthew Kotkosky; Mary (Kim) Derks of Cave Creek, Arizona and their children Jacqueline, Nathan, and Wesley Derks; a great-grandson: Hayden Gaillard; a sister: Marion (Harland) Gumz of Oshkosh and their daughters Carol Ann and Pamela; two brothers-in-law: Gerald Fountain of Scottsdale, Arizona and Thomas (Beverly) Fountain of Appleton. Gordon is further survived by other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Dorothy (Keith) Weber and Sr. Alice Kotkosky.

The memorial funeral liturgy for Gordon will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH – Kimberly, 600 E. Kimberly Avenue with Fr. Thomas Pomeroy officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Appleton. Friends may call directly at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff at Franciscan Care Center, especially Unit 3, for the wonderful care and concern they gave to Gordon during his stay.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-788-6202