Thaddeus W. Cotton, Jr., 87

Thaddeus W. Cotton, Jr.

In spite of claiming for decades that he really didn’t plan on leaving this life, Thad passed away at home on November 8, 2024. An only child to his widowed mother, Thad grew up in Winnsboro, South Carolina surrounded by uncles on his father’s side and aunts and cousins on his mother’s side. He would describe his growing up as idyllic even though he lived many years in the mill village and money was the one thing there was not plenty of. But there was plenty of love and family and friends. His teen years were almost stereotypical of the 50’s “Happy Days.” He played football. He was class president. And he was smart. So smart that one of his nicknames was “Sunny” because he was so bright. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college, which he did in 1969 from the University of South Carolina – making him a lifelong Gamecock fan. He went from the National Guard to the Air Force which took him to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida. There he met a dark-haired beauty named Mary Lou and married her in March 1958. When all his memories were gone, he still knew he loved Mary Lou. They started their married life in Florida and ended it there as well building a family of six children (which were his biggest joy and sometimes his biggest irritation) and living in Utah and South Carolina along the way. He spent 35 years working for State Farm Insurance.

He was a lifetime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities including Bishop, Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, and worked many years in the Orlando LDS Temple. He and Mary Lou also served a Family History mission in Utah for 13 months.

Thad was preceded in death by his parents, Thaddeus Woodrow Cotton Sr. and Alberta Louise Jeffers; his sons, Thomas Woodrow Cotton and Allen Dean Cotton; and granddaughter Peyton McKenzie Dietrich.

Thad leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Mary Lou, and children: Shannon (Brent) Burch, Jay Cotton, Tim (Amy) Cotton, and Marla Dietrich. His grandchildren: Sean Dietrich, Dallen Cotton, Haley (Matthew) Yagesic, Ashley (Gunnar) Wolfford, Justin Cotton, Logan Cotton, Regan Cotton, Bailey (Andrew) Roper, and Darren Cotton. He also leaves behind several bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren and soon to be family members, in laws, as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins, including his “cousin/brother” Jerry Ban and family.

The funeral will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, November, 12, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 461 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, Florida. Services will also be available via Zoom using this link: https://zoom.us/j/94398568524.

Please feel free to stay after the funeral and enjoy some of Thad’s favorite treats and visit with the family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity supporting curing cancer, dementia, or suicide prevention, or the charity of your choice

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720