08/27/2026
Don Cotton, a longtime resident of Henryetta, passed this life on August 23, 2026, in Henryetta at the age of 104. He was born April 8, 1922, in Henryetta, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to Andrew and Iva (Reeves) Cotton. Don was the third child born in a family of 9 siblings
He passed peacefully at his home after a courageous struggle with Congestive Heart Failure
He is proceeded in death by: Parents, Andrew & Iva Cotton ; Vergie Cotton, the mother of his two sons; Son, David Cotton; Sisters, Daisy Waggoner and Hazel Leasure; Brothers, Lester Cotton, Hobart Cotton, Junior (Bob) Cotton; Jean’s beloved son, Dwight Eslick
He is survived by:
Wife of 35 years Jean Cotton (Henryetta, OK)
Son, Gary Cotton (Cora) Ozark, MO
Daughter-in-law, Angie Cotton Pampa, TX
Sisters, Mildred (Mickey) Brister San Diego, CA, Bonnie Shaw Choteau, OK, & Lavelle Mackey Harrah, OK
Grandchildren, Kristi Cotton Bruce (and the late Robert Bruce) Pampa, TX, Noah Cotton (Amber Blea) Pampa, TX, Audrey Cotton (Braydon Oxley) Midland, TX, Sydney Cotton Knudsen (James) Pampa, TX
8 Great Grandchildren
Jean’s family that he loved as his own
Son, Michael Eslick (Paula) Henryetta OK
Grandchildren, Stacy McKnight (Maarten van der Burgt), Steven Eslick, Elizabeth Vasser, Deborah Manzano, Tony Eslick (Erika), Whitney Manuel (Edward), & Melissa Roberson (Michael), Ryan Day (Rachel)
16 Great Grandchildren
2 Great Great Grandchildren
And a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends that he truly cherished.
Don and Jean were married March 16,1991, in Henryetta OK. When they were first married they both had homes, hers in Henryetta, his in Tahlequah. They later sold the Tahlequah property and made Henryetta their home. They spent time growing flowers and vegetables and cutting the grass.
They also traveled to Branson, where they enjoyed attending Branson shows, because they both loved the music. They traveled all over the USA, attending the annual Famous Cotton Family Reunions, and visiting family and friends, near and far. They were always dedicated to each other and to their families. They lived their lives for Christ and were committed to their faith and their church.
Don was raised near Purcell, OK, and Paul's Valley. He attended elementary school grades 1-8 at McClain County Oklahoma Public Schools, where he was recognized for never being absent or tardy, graduating in May of 1938. He attended high school at Whitebead High School in Whitebead, OK, graduating in May 1942, where he received The Honor Letter in Dramatics. He attended a government run communications school in Cushing and Tonkawa, OK. In 1945 he enrolled at Murray State College but left after one semester to return home to help with the family farm. He later enrolled and graduated from East Central State College in Ada, OK with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1951.
Early in 1942, Don met a recruiter from Vance Air Force Base, setting him on a path that would take him halfway around the world from Oklahoma. He served in the Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1945. He was a Tech Sgt Aerial gunner aboard a B-17 heavy bomber with the 20th Bomb Squadron, 15th Air Force. He was stationed in Foggia, Italy. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Service Ribbon, one Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, two Bronze Service Stars, Air Medal, and the Certificate of Valor. He received an Honorable Discharge on July 22, 1945. He never failed to give credit to his unit's escorts, the Tuskegee Airmen, the all black fighter pilots who escorted bomber groups. He would say “They never got the credit they deserved. They covered us on every mission, we couldn’t have asked for better protection.”
After the war, he went to Huntington, Oregon, to work for Union Pacific Railroad Company. For 1 ½ years he worked as an Assistant Signalman, installing centralized traffic control (CTC) equipment for the first CTC system in the country.
After college, in 1952 he was offered three jobs, but none of them were teaching, so he chose to work at Texas Oil Company, now known as Texaco. He worked there for 33 years, and retired September 1,1984. He was a head clerk and accountant, and did every office job that crossed his path. His employment with them took him and his family from Ada,OK, where Gary was born, to Wichita Falls, TX, where David was born, to Breckenridge, TX, Ft Worth, TX, Snyder, TX, and to Pampa, TX, where he lived from 1969 until his retirement in 1984. After retirement he moved to Tahlequah, OK for ten years, then, back to a few miles from his birthplace Henryetta, OK.
Don was an active member at the Dewar First Baptist Church, he volunteered many years at The Salvation Army, he was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, VFW Post 539 (Henryetta) and a Master Mason, and he recently received his 50-year pin.
Fishing, Fishing, and Fishing were his top 3 hobbies. He also enjoyed his vegetable gardens (he got that love from his mother) over many years and was always sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Playing music was another favorite past time with Don. How he loved getting together with neighbors, friends, church family, and anybody that would play. He played several instruments, the mandolin, the guitar, the banjo, and the fiddle. He even owned a Hawaiian steel guitar. For 26 years, he pursued stained glass, after taking a course in Ft. Smith, AR in 1988. He enjoyed every minute creating beautiful pieces that he would happily gift to family and friends. He even made a window for his church when he lived in Tahlequah. His prized piece was of his beagle dog, Buddy.
An observation from someone that knew Don was that he represents a living connection to a generation shaped by sacrifice, unity, and duty.
He was a Master Joke Teller, and his memory was like no other.
He lived the motto: God (he lived his life deep seated in his faith) Country (He was a very proud Veteran and set an example of why we should all love our country) Family (The love of family was his greatest blessing), and his spirit touched everyone that knew and loved him.
We would like to say a very special Thank You to everyone that helped with his care.
We think of you as angels sent from heaven to do very special work.
Don’s Memorial Service will be held at: Dewer First Baptist Church, 507 W. 6th Street Dewar, OK
Tuesday September 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
A private entombment will take place at Fort Gibson National Cemetery at a later date
Services will be officiated by Ryan Wells ,Don Varble, Jeff Lester
Memorials can be made in Don's honor to the the VFW Post 539, South, C Street, Henryetta, Ok 74437.
