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Cotton Owens Obituary
Kimberly Meesters of the NASCAR Hall of Fame confirmed Owens passing through his family. Meesters only said Owens died peacefully. She says there would be additional details this afternoon.
Owens, who lived in Spartanburg, was a NASCAR pioneer who was part of the Hall's class of 2013, announced two weeks ago in Charlotte. He'll be inducted along with Rusty Wallace, Leonard Wood and the late Buck Baker and Herb Thomas.
Owens won nine times on NACAR's top circuit. He was perhaps better known as an owner, fielding cars for Hall of Fame drivers like Junior Johnson and David Pearson. In all, Owens had 41 wins and 38 poles in 487 races as an owner.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
58 Entries
John Carlson
March 29, 2021
Great man, terrific racer in his day, world class team owner. Proud to call you a friend.
RIP
bill stepp.
May 3, 2016
R.I.P. Cotton your a great driver .
David Daniels
July 29, 2012
Just a fan Of Cotton.I really appreciate all that Cotton has done for racing.Thank you sir,may you RIP!David Daniels
Reid and Pat Caldwell
July 11, 2012
To Dot, Debbie and family members. What a great man, race car driver, owner, builder, but most importantly a wonderful Dad and husband. We will always remember Cotton and his many contributions to the sport we love so dearly. May you have comfort and peace and be blessed by the great memories you have of your loved one. With sympathy,
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Randy Ray
June 13, 2012
A great man,in Racing,who willbe missed,a man with racing in his heart,
Ricky INMAN
June 12, 2012
You will allways be remembered. RIP COTTON
June 10, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the Owens family during your time of grief...Psalm 46:1...God is for us a refuge and strength, A help the is readily to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
LEE CATES
June 10, 2012
COTTON, THANKS FOR HELPING MAKE OUR SPORT WHAT IT IS TODAY, A FAN RIP
Harvey Gosnell
June 10, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today and always Cotton has been a big part of our family since I was 18 years old he taught me so much but most of all I am proud that I could call him my friend he will always be missed. Love Harvey, Patricia and Family
Douglas Woodall (Hawkins)
June 10, 2012
I'm so glad he was elected to the Hall of Fame. What a fitting tribute to a long life well lived. May the Lord comfort his family as they mourn his death. Just remember, there's another Victory Lane that has far more rewards than he ever received on earth.
Ronny Ferraiuolo jr
June 10, 2012
Thoughts and prayers to the Owens family .
Linda Ingram
June 10, 2012
I've gotten to know the Owens. They are a wonderful family. They are always smiling, helping people in need, & also have a caring & loving heart. I should know, my daughter & Cotton's grandson are getting married. Wished that he could of been here but God was calling him, to be with his loving wife, Dot. Now, there together & free of pain. When we are called, I want to see you racing in heaven. RIP Cotton
Mark Jones
June 9, 2012
A Legend in the world of NASCAR, now a bright shining star in Heaven! RIP Cotton!
Race fan
June 9, 2012
RIP Cotton. Thank you for the memories.
Harriette Harvey
June 9, 2012
Donnie,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. It has been a long time but I wanted you to know how sorry I was about his passing.
Harriette Harvey
Stacy Wood
June 9, 2012
My thoughts and Prayers, go out to the Owens family, Cotton will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.May he RIP now he lived along and great life and made amany of friends and fans..Godspeed..
June 9, 2012
The world and the racing world has lost a great man. He will be sorely missed and greatly remembered by those who knew him and those who knew of him. Frank P. Smith(deceased),
Louise H. Smith, Frank H. Smith(Hardy), Clemson,SC
June 9, 2012
To family of cotton I am so sorry for your lost
Hugh Johnson
June 9, 2012
June 09 2012 He will be missed by all but we know he has a new body and a new home in Heaven with his wife and love ones. may the peace of JESUS be with all his love ones.
Bobby Turpin
June 9, 2012
A great racing icon. Humble individual. Had lunch with him and his family, David Pearson and Bud Moore on 12/8/2010 at the Peach Tree resturant in Spartenburg SC
June 9, 2012
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of sorrow. Psalms 46:1 says: God is for us a refuge and strength during this difficult time and May God grant you the comfort to endure.
James Mack
June 8, 2012
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Steve Powell
June 8, 2012
One of my first racing heroes when he was driving Pontiacs. Saw him win at Richmond on dirt in 1964.
Way overdue for the Hall of Fame. He and Pearson both should have gone in on the first class. I am so sorry he didn't live to enjoy the HOF induction.
June 8, 2012
My condolences to the family. May your fond memories bring you peace as well as the comfort that our heavenly father gives.
Marcia Comshaw
June 8, 2012
Mr. Owens you deserve a standing ovation.
Rest in Peace.
Diana Garrison
June 8, 2012
What a great role model - as a wonderful family man first and then as a "racer." I hope many of today's troubled drivers take a close look at what it takes to live a full, happy life: Respect and love...Job well done, Cotton, for being an original "business model" worth aspiring to.
johnny earle westbrook
June 8, 2012
May God provide strength and comfort for his family and close friends. Oh Lord, hear my prayer.
Jeff Robinson
June 8, 2012
As A young boy in the 50s I watched Cotton race at small dirt tracks. Hendersonville Waynesville and many other. I am sadden by NASCAR'S loss. A great car builder. Sara many years ago we worked together at St Joseph Hospital. Do you remember the red Fordn Talladega My prays are with you and your family.
Diana Tarpin
June 8, 2012
My sincere sympathies to the Owens family.
CMSgt Darr King, USAF (Ret)
June 8, 2012
Great memories of watching Cotten Owens at Strawberry Hill...now Richmond International Raceway...back in the day! He'll always be one of the greatest race car drivers. Sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the family.
patrick shanahan
June 8, 2012
Checkered flag...Great run, Cotton. See you in the Hall of Fame.
Connie Glotzbach-Sturgeon
June 8, 2012
You were so much to so many-you and Dot were so wonderful to our family; you embodied the word "hero" in the ways that really mattered. I know you and Dot are up in heaven together now and that you are feeling young and free again. They say as long as you remember someone, they never die. All my prayers to that wonderful family of yours and all the friends and fans you have left behind. Bless you all.
June 8, 2012
May the peace of God that excels all thought comfort the family members of Cotton Owens during this time of sadness.
PEGGY RIEDER ERDMAN
June 8, 2012
MAY HE REST IN PEACE ,AND RACE IN HEAVEN NOW ,GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU IN THIS TIME OF NEED , NASCAR HOPE OF ANGLES .
June 8, 2012
COTTEN IS NOW RACEING IN HAVEN, ALLWAYS REMEMBER HIM WITH LOVE AND NOW HE IS WITH UNCLE LEE ,RACEING IN HAVEN ,WE WILL SEE THEM ONE DAY ,AND WHAT A RACE THAT WILLBE , GOD BLESS ALL COTTEN FAMILY NOW AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
June 8, 2012
To the the family of Cotton Owens - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Lawrence Junghans
June 7, 2012
i am a very avid nascar racing fan my thoughts and prayers go out to the Cotton Owens Family may a nascar hall of famer RIP
nolen suddeth
June 7, 2012
barbara & nolen suddeth
SPARTANBURG ,S. C.
odell martin
June 7, 2012
my thought's and prayer's go out to cotton and his family.may he r.i.p.
June 7, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to cotton and his family. Aaron Baum. LOU. KY
June 7, 2012
May God be with all of you in your time of sorrow, So sorrow to hear about your Mom and Dad,I am a 1st cousin of Cotton. My Dad and his Dad were brothers Lucille Owens Wilson, Ruskin, Fl.
Mike, Claire, & Sarah Bailey
June 7, 2012
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Cotton. Your familty is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We are so glad to have known Cotton - he will be greatly missed.
Carol and Don Walker
June 7, 2012
God bless family and friends of a NASCAR legend, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Carol and Don Walker,Spring Hill, Fl and Jardin Outler of Ft. Valley,Ga .
Sherri Stephens, Linda Miller
June 7, 2012
Donnie, Sara, family... You are in our thoughts and prayers
Victoria&Andrew
June 7, 2012
Race cars Powered Engines..
Inside a life He loved
Nascar is archive
Nations Best
rip Mr.CottonOwens
Our condolences
To you and Your Family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sharlene McDonal
June 7, 2012
Rest in peace dear Cotton, I have been a fan of racing for many years, and have many books, and I don't think one of them does not mention you in one way or another, thank you for your great part to the sport, from this fan from Canada, you are in good hands and some pretty good company too, God bess you and your family, I will always have a part of you somewhere in my home. R.I.P Dear Sir.
June 7, 2012
Reunion Time for him with those whome he had longed to be with. condolences.
Michele & Toby Taylor
June 7, 2012
He didn't make it to see himself inducted in the Hall of Fame but he still made it to the finish line. Rest in peace Cotton your part of history will never be forgotten!
Annette
June 7, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
J Jackson
June 7, 2012
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Cotton Owens May the God of all comfort give you the strength to endure in these difficult times.
Kelly Nelson
June 7, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Owens family.
Pamela Lee Dunagin
June 7, 2012
Debbie, you, your family and the NASCAR families are in my thoughts and prayers. Cotton was a legend in his own time. Used to see him with his grandsons racing at the Gaffney speedway on the weekends. What fun he had.
Cathy
June 7, 2012
Wow, my thought and prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
JOE NEEDHAM
June 7, 2012
my condolences to his family, friends and nascar friends
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