Name: Viewing for James A. Cotten
Start: 2020-08-20T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-08-21T00:00:00.000Z
Location: T L Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Services LLC

James Alonzo Cotten was born on June 4, 1927, in Chapel Hill, NC. At his request, he was cared for at home by his family, and transitioned on August 14, 2020. James was married for 73 years to his high school sweetheart, Oteria. They met at a dance, and continued to dance throughout his life.

Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) James A. Cotten was drafted into the U.S. Military Service from his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa., and was inducted into the U.S. Army at Indiantown Gap, Pa. on August 14, 1945. Upon completion of Basic Training in January 1946, he was selected for assignment to the famed Tuskegee Airman, 332nd Fighter Group, the all Afro-American Army Air Corps Unit at Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus, Ohio.

During his military career, Cotten was assigned to many other military installations and after more than 21 years of active military service in the U.S. Air Force, he retired at McGuire AFB, Lakehurst, New Jersey on December 31, 1965.

In 1966, he entered into U.S. Civil Service for another 45 years with the Department of Defense at Joint Base McGuire-Dix. In December 2012, he retired as the Supervisory Contract Administrator for U.S. Transportation Command Contract Airlift Program.

On May 3, 2012, James A. Cotten was presented the Congressional Gold Medal for his military service with the Tuskegee Airmen. A Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress and is the highest civilian honor in the United States. It is awarded to persons "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement."

Mr. Cotten was an active member of the Twenty Plus Retirement Club. He served the ABCO community in the capacity of Board Member and was on the Supervisory Committee for more than 9 years. Also, he served on the New Jersey Credit Union League Board of Directors for over 20 years.

Mr. Cotten affectionately known as "Dad or Granddad", was the patriarch of the Cotten family, and he leaves behind to cherish his loving memory, wife, Oteria; brother, Ralph (Sandra); sister, Lorraine (Roland); sisters-in-law, Charolette (Russell-predeceased), Gwendolyn, and Antoinette (Ben); brother-in-law, MSgt (Ret) William Smith (Debra); ten children, Charen; LtCol (Ret) James M. (Berthel); Marlane (Tyrone); Wannetta (Cmdr (Ret) Ernest L. Jolly); Christina; Terie; Arlene (Mark); SMSgt (Ret) Dale A. (Zina); Kevin; Lauren (Aundrey); 16 Grandchildren; 21 Great-Grandchildren; two Great-Great-Grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Twenty Plus Retirement Club Scholarship Fund, PO Box 46, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060.

His life Celebration Services will be held private to the family Friday, August 21, 2020. Family and friends may participate in a walk through viewing Thursday, August 20, 2020 5pm until 8 a.m. at the TL Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Services, 869 Beverly Road, Burlington, N.J. All attendees must wear a mask to enter walk through. Friends may also view by Live Stream 11 a.m. Friday at the website below.

TL Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Services

www.tlhuttonfuneralservices.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Burlington County Times on Aug. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for James Cotten

Sponsored by T L Hutton Family & Friends Funeral Services LLC.

15 Entries

Cha´Ren Cotten

August 13, 2024

Dad, this is "2024" and the pain is still so great, but I honor you and mom every chance I get. I can´t say enough good about you as a father. IKNOW you are still around me. I remember when we went into Shoprite and we picked up brand new Pennie´s in different places when we were walking in. We laughed and said "Pennies From Heaven" now I get them at home, in my car, I know it´s you! So Thank You! I need that confirmation from you! So knowing you and my precious mom are together with no more pain makes me so happy, because this world is a mess! GODS timing is perfect and he made sure you and mom were with him! So keep sending those pennies to me, and know "I LOVE YOU AND MOM!" Cha´Ren

Charen J. Cotten

August 13, 2022

Dad, I miss you so much! There is not a word to explain the pain. I will forever keep your memory alive until I no longer can. I have many things where I reside on my walls, in albums, and most of all in a book I am still writing. You and mom are right here with me in many ways. Your spirits are all around in my peaceful place surrounded by moms flowers that came from her garden inside and out. Birds have homes on my balcony and Dad you and mom loved birds! I love to watch them and think of you and mom. I WILL FOREVER LOVE BOTH OF YOU!

Eileen Barton-Smith

August 25, 2020

I had the honor and pleasure to work under Mr. Cotten during his tenure at McGuire AFB working for the Military Airlift Command. I was the station manager for two airlines that
transported the soldiers from the Philadelphia Gateway. I had many personal meetings with my boss and Mr. Cotten and always enjoyed his company. He was honest, fair and a wonderful person to work for. My condolences to his family. Someone this world today will truly miss. Rest in peace, Mr. Cotten.

Jeannine Cox

August 23, 2020

My heart goes out to Mrs Cotten and every member of the Cotten family. I've never met a more honorable man. RIP Mr Cotten

Charen Cotten

August 23, 2020

Dad, if ever there was the greatest father in the world it would be you. You took care of mom and all your children teaching us the right way to do things. You never had a mean thing to say about anyone. You taught us to hold our heads up and look people in the eyes and never feel that we are less, but equal to each other. I am your oldest child so I remember so much of our military life, all the wonderful people we met through the years. Also some people may not know that you were my manager for 25 years in the music industry. Dad without you there to make sure that only the right people were around me, who knows what could have happened. I sang and traveled with many bands and not once did you leave me out there alone. THANK YOU MY WONDERFUL FATHER! for that. I miss you so very much, but I know you are no longer in pain, and you are up there in Heaven with all the loved ones that you missed, but most of all you are with JESUS, WELL DONE DAD, WELL DONE!! I LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!

Ruth Shirley

August 21, 2020

My heart goes out to the family and friend of Mr. Cotten. It was an honor to know him and have him serve on a credit union committee for a number of years. Always a gentleman with a heart of gold and a love for people. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Chris Abeel

August 21, 2020

I was so saddened to learn of Jim Cotten' passing.
I had the pleasure of knowing him through his service to the credit union community. He was one of kind. A gentleman of the first order and an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to cross paths with him.
He will be sadly missed by so very many.
Keeping Mrs. Cotten and the whole Cotten family in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa Brown

August 21, 2020

Our deepest condolences. Praying God will comfort you during this difficult time.
Lovingly, Kevin, Lisa, & Kira Brown

Ruth Frances Silver-Carthen

August 20, 2020

I’m sorry for your loss, and you’re in my prayers.
-Frances Silver-Carthen

Ruth Silver-Carthen

August 20, 2020

Clyde Lynard

August 20, 2020

The impact that a person has on the lives of others can never be underestimated. Mr. Cotton has touched many people and I myself am truly grateful he has impacted my life. I was truly honored the day his daughter asked me to watch out for her father and take care of him on our trip to the Philadelphia VA. The few times I drove him to the VA I understood that in my presence was living American History. We talked about everything on the way to Philadelphia. However, our greatest conversation was on baseball and Jackie Robinson. He will always be treasured as a friend and a man of great honor and integrity. His legacy and that of the Red Tails will live on forever. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Carol Ireland

August 19, 2020

My sincere condolences to the Cotten Family. Our parents were friends for over 63 yrs plus. along with us kids growing up together. Mr Cotten was like a second father to me. He stood in for my dad when I was a debutante. I will never forget that. May you rest easy Mr Cotten. You will surely be missed. Keep on smiling❤❤Love Always, Carol Ireland and the Albert Mosley Jr. Family

Terry Starks

August 19, 2020

Mr. Cotten left a legacy of love, strength, dedication & honor. May his legacy remain in your hearts forever. Terry

August Rocco

August 19, 2020

Thank you Sir for your lifetime of service. We are a free nation because of you and your fellow Airman. With all due Respect, may you Rest in Peace

Steve Ammon

August 19, 2020

I had known Mr Cotten's son (Jimmy) briefly when I was in my early teens. Fifteen years later, I had a problem that landed on Mr Cotten's desk. He not only remembered me, he solved my problem and made me feel that doing so was his most important mission in life. I had the pleasure of interacting with him on a couple of other occasions. He was unfailingly attentive, smart, and decisive. Although I have not seen or talked to him in 40 years, he stands out in my mind as the definition of a true gentleman and human being. James Cotten was a great man and I am honored to have known him. My condolences to his family.

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