Joab Cotton III

1950 - 2025

Joab Cotton, III

January 1, 1950 - April 12, 2025

Joab Cotton, III, 75, of Hickory, passed away April 12, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Born January 1, 1950, in Parris Island, SC, he was the son of the late Joab Cotton, Jr. and Katie Belle Harris Cotton.

Joab grew up in Jacksonville, NC. After graduating from Elon College, he began his insurance career at State Capital Insurance in Raleigh and then at First Security Insurance Co. in Hickory. He worked diligently to advocate for his clients forging many friendships in the process.

Joab was a very active member of the Hickory Rotary Club where he served as President, Board Member and was a Paul Harris Fellowship Recipient. He started "Rotary Alive" and was co-chairman of the first "Rotarian Idol" which funded the Rotary Scholarship Program.

He served on the Hickory Board of Recreation and the Hickory City Board of Education for 10 years and chairperson for two years.

An avid beach music fan and lifelong sports enthusiast, Joab enjoyed coaching his boys baseball teams as well as serving as their loudest fan.

Joab Cotton was larger than life. For 10 years, Joab faced his ALS diagnosis with incredible bravery, never retiring and working until the end. He was a big man with an even bigger, contagious personality, often with a rough and gruff façade but truly very caring and kind. He loved deeply, cared endlessly and showed up for others without hesitation. His entire life showed evidence of his deep love for his wife, family, friends and community.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 47 years, Marty Vanderlinden Cotton of the home; sons, Joab Cotton, IV, (Sara) of Lansing, MI, Josh Cotton (Ansley) of Stokesdale, NC; sisters, Aileen Sneed (Mark) of Chesterfield, VA, Kathy Estridge of Jacksonville, NC; brother, Joseph Cotton (Gayle) of Jacksonville, NC; granddaughters, Serenity Grimes, Penelope Cotton, Juniper Cotton, all of Lansing, MI; brother-in-law, Harry Vanderlinden ( Laura Shuford) of Hickory; and his faithful companion, Dee-Dee.

A memorial service officiated by Pastor Chris Webb will be held 3:30 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where Joab was a member for many years. A private inurnment in the columbarium at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will precede the service.

The family would like to thank Maddy Lawrence, Abernethy Laurels and their Unity Staff for their gentle care.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Rotary Club of Hickory/ Service Above Self Scholarships, PO Box 2628, Hickory, NC 28603 or to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation, PO Box 9580, Hickory, NC 28603.