Donald Patrick Cotta

1965 - 2022

Donald Patrick Cotta
March 15, 1965 - November 3, 2022
Fresno, California - Donald Patrick Cotta was born in Dos Palos on March 15, 1965 to Judy and Albert Cotta. He enjoyed camping and riding horses and motorcycles, but his passion was music. Don played the drums in concert and marching band from the fourth grade until his senior year of high school. He also was the drummer in a local cover band with several of his friends. During his senior year, he was approached by an Air Force recruiter to play in the Air Force band.
His future was forever changed on November 6, 1982, when he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. After 3 months in a coma, 5 more months in Community Hospital and participation in a comprehensive rehabilitation program, he was able to live independently. Over the years, Don volunteered for the Fresno Police Department, the Volunteer Bureau of Fresno County and attended Fresno Community College. He received recognition for outstanding public service from the Mayor's Committee for the employment of disabled persons. Don was employed by Glendale Bank and Fresno Unified School District as a substitute Paraprofessional.
Although he was never able to play the drums after his accident, for a time, Don had a small business doing sound and lights for local bands and renting out his equipment. He wrote copious lyrics, poems and stories. He particularly enjoyed being able to share his knowledge and love of music by volunteering with the music program at a Fresno Catholic school.
Don was a driven person who never accepted his disabilities while striving to remain independent. He was very social and had a dry, irreverent sense of humor. He loved to tease and joke with his friends and family. He liked nothing better than meeting and talking with new people; he didn't know a stranger.
Don was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Margorie Bellew and Vincent and Mary Cotta, as well as his father Albert Cotta and his aunt, Vivian Cotta. He is survived by his mother, Judy Brooks, his step-father Gary Brooks; his sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Terry Bettencourt and his step-sisters, Noel Brooks (Tim Bland), and Erin Narbaitz (Larry); his nieces, Nicole Borge (Caleb) and Terilyn Bettencourt (Bryant Hudson); uncles, Raymond Cotta, Robert Bellew and Keith Porter, aunts, Eula Bellew and Lori Porter and eight cousins and their children. He is also survived by his honorary family, Becky Wright, and Claire, Bella and CeCe Bispo.
A memorial for Don will be private and held at a later date.