FRANKLIN - Jack Hill Cotton Jr., was born on May 17, 1953, at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Hope Hardy and Jack Hill Cotton. He passed on to Glory on Jan. 8, 2023.
Jack’s father’s career was in the United States Navy, so Jack and his family lived in many places around the country. When his father retired, the family moved to the Hendersonville area, and Jack attended West Henderson High School. He frequently visited Franklin where his grandparents, Robert and Madge Hardy, lived.
Jack enlisted in the United States Navy just before his 18th birthday. He was assigned to the USS Saratoga as a jet engine mechanic and was stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin for eleven months during the Vietnam War.
After returning to the United States, he attended Southwestern Union College where he met and married his wife, Diane. He was employed by Halliburton in the industrial construction business and retired as project superintendent. After retirement he relocated to Franklin to care for his parents. He was employed by Macon County Schools as a custodian for Highlands School and East Franklin Elementary.
Jack spent his retirement years reading, gunsmithing, mowing and moving azaleas from place to place for his mother and wife. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion and served on the VFW Honor Guard for a number of years.
Jack’s proudest moments were watching his children become successful and happy along with holding his grandbabies when they were born. He spent the years of his marriage as a loving and attentive husband and father. He was a good neighbor and friend who was known to be a man of his word.
Jack was a Christian who was willing to help anyone as a servant of Christ. He believed the dead in Christ will sleep until the great resurrection day when they will rise, join the believers still alive, and ascend to Heaven to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There they will have everlasting life.
Jack is survived by his wife of 44 years, Diane; children, Jesse Cotton (Rachel) of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Hope McClure (Samuel) of Glade Valley and Benjamin Cotton (Rachel) of Franklin; sisters, Linda Jarman of Franklin and Robin Genest (Frank) of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Lillian Cotton, Jack Cotton, Emily McClure and Brice McClure; his close cousin, Jacqueline Mette of Franklin; his close nephew, Brian Cotton (Sherry); his heart family, Anthony, Ashton, Addison and Alex Zari of Franklin; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Michael Cotton and Jeffrey Cotton.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Franklin Post 7339, VFW Honor Guard, 60 Palmer Street, Franklin, NC, 28734 or Read 2 Me, P.O Box 1362, Franklin, NC, 28734.
Online condolences may be made at moffittfunerals.com.
Moffitt Family Funeral Care is honored to serve such a great man and his family.