In Memory of Milovan Kotlaja

Milovan Kotlaja passes away at 57 years old from cancer after 7 years of fighting. He passes away in Lee’s Summit, MO surrounded by family, and is survived by his wife Radenka, 2 daughters Marijana Kotlaja and Marija Mollet, and four grandchildren (Mihailo, Anastasija, Zora, and Jovan). He is also survived by his brother Milos, sister-in-law Radmila, and his niece and nephew Bozidar and Andjela in his hometown of Bukovica, Montenegro, a place and family he cares for deeply and are never far from his thoughts. Milovan is also survived by many more family and friends both in the United States, Germany, Montenegro, Bosnia and Serbia. Services will be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox church. The time and date will be announced shortly.

Milovan was born and raised in the small mountain town of Bukovica, Montenegro. He was able to attend elementary school in Bukovica, but needed to attend secondary school in Cajnice, Bosnia. Milovan would stay during the week in Cajnice, and walk several hours to start his school week or return home to Bukovica. He would eventually meet and marry Radenka Cevriz at age 22 in town Cajnice. Their first daughter Marijana was born 11 days before Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, kicking off the war that would eventually dissolve Yugoslavia.

Milovan’s father had left for Germany when Milovan was a young boy. As a new father, Milovan joined his father in Germany so that his wife and child could join him six months later. They lived in Hamburgsaad for 8 years, and welcomed their second daughter Marija into their family. Milovan travelled all throughout Germany welding different bridges to provide for his family. He fondly remembers exploring all of the different towns his work took him to.

After 8 years, the Kotlajas were no longer eligible to stay in Germany, but had the option to go to Canada, Australia, or Kansas City, Missouri. Milovan declared to know someone in KC and the Kotlaja’s packed 2 suitcases and would settle in Lee’s Summit. Early in their move to Lee’s Summit, Milovan found himself at 54th street singing and talking with strangers despite not knowing English. This event would enshrine the local restaurant as a family favorite, and perhaps be the reason he enjoyed watching Chiefs football games so much.

Milovan is great at brainstorming new designs for machines, tinkering and repairing household appliances, or building and remodeling parts of his home. His favorite part of the house was sitting in an office chair in the garage. Milovan was quick to lend a hand to anyone who asked and was always insistent on volunteering for church events. He particularly loved smoking and grilling meats, and could frequently be seen leading the Kolo dance, his feet a blur as he encouraged others to have a good time with food, drink, and dance. Perhaps because Milovan travelled and knew so many different types of people and helped them through times thick and thin, Milovan could never tolerate talking behind people’s backs. He and Radenka were church Kumovi in year 2018.

Despite leaving Bukovica, Milovan was always thinking of how to help his hometown. Among the many projects and people he helped, he is most proud of helping fund and gather support for the construction of a Serbian Orthodox church. Now residents do not have to travel 90 minutes to attend service. Despite the structure being complete, there is still work to complete the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help the church finish various projects at this website. The mosaic inside the church would be the first project, as well as a bench and fountain outside in honor of Milovan.

You can also contact Aaron Lockee directly to donate to the church in Bukovica. (Paypal, or Venmo @Aaron-Lockee (5606 for last 4 phone number digits)).