Cotton Fitzsimmons

Cotton and I coached together at Moberly Mo. in the 60s.He was wonderful in every aspect of his career . A great gentleman as well as a legend in his profession. We had talked about playing golf when i was in Az .Should have done it when I had the chance. Will always remember him for his genuine concern and respect for others. Thinking of his family. God bless you. Jerry Bolin

Thanks for being a great coach to all the players you inspired with the will to win, a great husband, partner and pilar of strength to JoAnn, and a great father to the man that I have loved for over 24 years. I'll never forget you.

Mr. Fitzsimmons and his family use to come into the Pizza Hut at 7th St. and Glendale years ago and were regulars on Friday nights when the team wasn't playing. I didn't know who he was for a time but later learned who he was. He was always really friendly and nice to everyone there while they were at the Hut. He never made anyone feel like they were a bother to him. He was a very nice and gracious man that will be missed.

I feel very lucky to have spent the time I did with Cotton. He and JoAnn are two of the most special people I've met along this journey called life. They always had a kind word, great big smile and so much positive energy that it became contagious.

My most prized memory of this dynamic duo is when I had complimented JoAnn on some of the Christmas decorations that she had supplied for the Phoenix Suns main office.This short conversation with her turned into a wonderful surprise...

I had the privlege of playing for Coach for 2 years at Moberly, Mo. JC graduating in '64. There was not a person around who knew bb like him. I had known him before that being from Hannibal myself.
I remember him telling my mother when I first went to Moberly that he makes sure all the boys go to church on Sunday. And he did too. Same way with classes.
Used to see him every year when the Suns played the Bulls in Chicago. First question he would ask was how my wife and family...

To the family of Cotton Fitzsimmons, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Cotton, was loved and admired by so many on and off the court. What a great man he was to everyone he ever came in contact with. May your hearts be warm knowing that so many people will miss him.
God Bless you all

I work up in the Players Club at Turf Paradise Racetrack and that is where I had the Honor of meeting Cotton. I and so many of my co-workers will miss his smile and the Wonderful way he would make you feel,(like youve known him forever). Seeing his table without him this season will be heartbreaking. But we all have been blessed with the good fortune of calling him our friend.. GODBLESS YOU COTTON. My Thoughts and Prayers are with your family.

My heart and prayers go out to Cotton's family. He meant so much to so many! Cotton had a way of making me feel like I knew him as a good friend and I've never met him. It takes a special person to do that! I will always remember Cotton and Al doing the Suns games and the excitement and emotions he displayed! We all have lost a very special person and He will live on in my loving memories! I say this with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes!

I used to see Cotton on the hiking trails on a regular basis, I was a lot younger an he was always in better shape. He was my inspiration to keep walking. One day, while resting on the way up, he was on the way down. He smiled. and told me not to give up. He said if I could just find it within to get to the top, I would be rewarded by an amazing sight. I said, yes, I had heard the view was wonderful. He said, not the view kiddo, there's an ice cold soda machine up there. get movin'!