Nov. 15, 1934 to Feb. 9, 2007
Richard left us on Friday Feb. 9, 2007, peacefully at home with family members at his side.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Alice; four children, daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Rick Armstrong of Lakeport; son and daughter-in-law, Russ and Jeanne Cotton of Cool, Calif.; son, Dan Cotton of Oakley; and son and daughter-in-law, Garry and Bebe Cotton of Mesa, Ariz. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Matt and Dave Kollasch, Josh and Jenna Cotton, Jason and Claire Cotton, Miranda Lewis, Chelsea Morgan, Justin Jordan, and Samantha and Kenny Armstrong; five great-grandchildren, Zachary and Jordan Cotton, Mathias Kollasch, and Mya and Tyra Lewis. Richard also has a surviving brother, Jim Cotton and wife Barbara of Brentwood.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Roddy and Margaret Cotton.
After migrating from Mangum Okla., in 1949, Richard and his father owned and operated Rod”s Hickory Pit in the Bay Area for over 38 years in various locations until his retirement in 1992, when Richard and Alice moved to Lakeport .
Richard also loved being a private pilot and flying. Nothing made him happier during retirement then to fly from county to county picking up his grandchildren to bring them to Clearlake for a weekend of waterskiing.
Richard was a caring, thoughtful, honest, loving man who always put his family first. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower St., Phoenix, AZ., 85014 5656.
A celebration of his life is being planned for June 2007, and will be announced at a later date.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com, then click obituaries.
(Published in the Record-Bee on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.)
