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Whitworth Cotten Obituary
Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Whit traveled the world and spent 7 years in the Navy serving his country with honor. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from Florida Institute of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Rollins College. He helped end the Vietnam War with fiber optic inventions, helped the moon landing become possible, and invented the fiber optic cable that was the foundation for high speed internet. He was nothing short of a brilliant genius, and always kept his humbleness about him.
Whit led a life of a strong commitment to his family, his community, telecommunications, fiber optics and engineering, inventing, and of course his "wit" and ferocious humor that he will certainly always be remembered for.
Whit lived a full life in dedication to his Episcopalian faith, and even founded the Martha & Whit Cotten Christian Education Center for children at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida.
He was also a supporter of the arts, in particular the Orlando Philharmonic, the Bach Festival, the Festival of Orchestras, and the Orlando Museum of Art.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Martha DeNeen Cotten; and survived by his wife Ellen Hamilton Cotten; his son Whitworth Willson Cotten III; his daughter Martha-Carole Cotten; his stepdaughter DeNeen Fitch; his grandson Jayden Rhys Whitworth Hottenstein; his son-in-law Joshua Hottenstein; his stepson Jared Houghton; and 5 additional step grandchildren including Virginia Fitch.
Services will be held on Tuesday November 2, 2021 on All Soul's Day. His Celebration of Life will be held at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida at 3pm with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Orlando Philharmonic or the Bach Festival in honor of Whit's love for music and the arts.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Whitworth Cotten
Sponsored by The Orlando Sentinel.
Jeannette Sieland
November 24, 2021
The Korean War Veterans Association Department of Florida and Chapter 173 Casselberry send our belated yet deepest sympathies on the passing of our Brother In Arms Whitworth Wilson Cotten, Jr. (US Navy).
He served his country well and honorably.
May he Rest In Peace.
Amy Miley
November 3, 2021
Hearing of Whit's passing took me back to when we used to work together at BCP. His mother sure gave him the right name as he was always full of "wit." Whit would always finish a conversation with a joke. I wish I could have been with you all in person as you celebrated Whit's life. I pray for peace during these times of grief for all of Whit's family and friends.
God Bless,
Amy Miley
Kristi
October 30, 2021
Getting to know Whit over the past couple years has enriched my life immensely. He was so kind and generous and always willing to lend a helping hand. I miss our weekly conversations that were always dappled with his great humor and words of wisdom. Whit always made me feel special and appreciated. I can still hear his booming laughter and I feel so lucky and blessed to have known him. Wishing peace and sending love to all the family and friends he left behind. Even though his life was long and full, it seems like he is gone too soon. At least we know this world is a better place for having had him in it and his legacy will live on. Rest In Peace my pal.
Sam Willson Cotten Jr
October 29, 2021
I'm still processing my shock at our Cousin Whit's passing. I have many fond memories from the time our family would visit his family in Petersburg, VA. His warm and gracious parents, and Whit's brilliance, even as a teen with his amazing backyard ham radio shack, are things I will always remember. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Stephen Reddy
October 25, 2021
I met Whit when I started working at BCP right out of college. I will never forget the times when I worked late into the night and Whit would also be there to talk to customers on the other side of the world. Whit always had something to share that made me laugh mixed in with words of wisdom and remarkable stories. He was an encouraging mentor and a person who I will always admire for his integrity, generosity, and joy of life. He surely will be missed by many. My sincere condolences and sympathy to his family.
Bob Bennett
October 25, 2021
Please accept my condolences. Whit was a good man and a friend. I met Whit when I worked at BCP before we became JDS Uniphase. We used to have a lot of good conversations when I just happened to be working late when Whit was too.
Israel Ury
October 24, 2021
I met Whit a little over 30 years ago when the companies we were working for collaborated on a very successful fiberoptic project that ended up changing the world. We lost track of each other till a few years ago when Whit came across something I had published on the Talmud and we reconnected. I was amazed by Whit's extensive knowledge of Judaism and his ability to read Hebrew. We never focused on the differences between our faiths; we only took joy in celebrating our common beliefs, which were many. Whit was a friend of the Jewish people, a friend of the State of Israel, and a lover of the Land of Israel. My greatest compliment I can give Whit is that he was a "mentsch" - a gentleman who was thoughtful, honest, and above all - always did what was right.
- May his memory bring blessing.
Israel Ury
Beit Shemesh
ISRAEL
Paul Casper
October 24, 2021
I met Whit in the early 70s and we became friends for life. We pursued business together for the L3 Harris Corporation and then for our own startup company BCP during the 1990s. This personal and business relationship changed my life forever and I will never forget the happy day I met him. Whit never forgot a good joke and I'm sure he's now walking the streets of gold leaving laughing Saints in this wake. Rest in glorious peace my friend.... I miss you so very much, and I thank God for putting you in my life.
Joe and Gerry Rodriguez
October 24, 2021
We are so very sorry for your loss. We never had an opportunity to get to know Whit. He seemed like such a wonderful person. Our hearts break for you and his loved ones.
Linda Seale
October 24, 2021
My husband, Peter Hankin, and I met Whit in the 80's when Peter and Whit worked together in the emerging field of fiber optics. We never lost touch for long. I had the great privilege of joining Whit and Ellen at the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Orlando Phil a few years ago, a magical weekend. His commitment to the organizations he loved was extraordinary. I will miss him.
James Horney, CTCA, USNR
October 24, 2021
I served with Whit in Japan and developed a life long friendship. He was one of the brightest individuals I ever knew. Our research department would put together new research equipment and then give it to Whit to make it work. I'll miss our emails we shared dearly. Rest in heaven dear shipmate.
Elizabeth Cotten
October 24, 2021
Our sincere sympathies. Love, Samuel Willson Cotten, Joseph Cheshire Cotten, Elizabeth Cotten and Sally Cotten Sutherland.
John Felton
October 24, 2021
Whit and I met in Japan in 1964 while serving in the Naval Security Group. He and I were good friends. Whit was a very bright man, although somewhat eccentric in a kind and engaging way. He will be greatly missed.
Susan Cohn Lackman
October 24, 2021
Richard and I were so sorry to learn of Whit´s passing. He was a mentor to Susan and we will always remember conversations with him at concerts.
Ed Gerry
October 23, 2021
Whit and I shared a fascination in ham radio in high school and also a girlfriend
Dee Anderson
October 22, 2021
I have never met a person with more integrity, intelligence, "wit", generosity, and the enormous capacity to love than Whit. I will cherish ever memory I have of him. He will be missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know him. Knowing Whit he is on the other side looking for the next great adventure and enveloped in all the new things he is seeing and learning.
Kathryn V. Ross
October 22, 2021
Whit was a dear and kind friend.
He was charismatic, clever, generous and the most brilliant person I´ve ever had the privilege to know. God Bless and Love to you and your Precious family. Rest In Peace.
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