Obituary: Jerry Glen Cotton

TRINIDAD – Funeral services for Jerry Glen Cotton, 76, of Trinidad, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Malakoff with Bro. Dale Norris and Bro. Jack Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Malakoff City Cemetery with Masonic and Military Grave Rites.

Mr. Cotton passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 in Athens.

He was born Nov. 5, 1936 in Gallatin, Texas to Willie Raymond and Monnie Davis Cotton. He graduated from Gallatin High School where he received a basketball scholarship to Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. He completed his education and graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a Bachelor’s Degree. He also served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Cotton moved to this area from Emory, Texas in 1977 and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Malakoff and the Mineola Masonic Lodge No. 502. He was married to Jewell Lee Maness for 50 years. Mr. Cotton retired from coaching and teaching in the Malakoff ISD for over 25 years where coaching and teaching was his life. He was very passionate about developing the lives of his students and players and he touched the lives of his coworkers as well. After retirement he enjoyed the outdoors with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all those he knew and loved.

Mr. Cotton was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Ralph Cotton.

He is survived by his wife, Jewell Lee Cotton of Trinidad; sons David Cotton of Humble, and Jerry Paul Cotton and wife Alexis of Magnolia; one daughter, Jana Kay Thompson and husband Chuck “Roscoe” of Duncan, Okla.; one brother, Larry N. Cotton of Gallatin, Texas; one sister, Patti Hewett of Pasadena; six grandchildren, Ashley Wisley and husband Kyle, Cameron Wade, Sophia Skye Cotton, Michael Starr Cotton, Mackenzee Thompson, Nathanuel Thompson; and one great-grandson, Hunter James Wisley.

Pallbearers will be John Mayse, Randy Pool, Tim Landrum, John Wills, Larry Scoggin, and DeArtis Nickerson. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Wade, Kyle Summerhill, Scott Clendening, Carey Peach, John Costlow, Lee Hobbs, Jim Farrell, and Tracy Edwards.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, Jan. 17, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Cedar Lake Nursing Service.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.