Our beloved son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend to many, George M. Cotton, passed away Monday, July 29th, 2019 after a long illness and a hard fight with Sarcoma. He remained cheerful throughout despite his discomfort and joked with friends who dropped by. George was a true LSU fan and Louisiana gentleman, through and through - eating gumbo and beignets to the last. George died at home in the loving embrace of his family, in Baton Rouge, at the age of 72. Survived by his mother, Laura Lofton Cotton; his wife of 40 years, Kathleen Verret Bourke; their son, Erik Bourke Cotton, daughter-in-law Kristina Cotton; sister Beth Cotton Phillips of Baton Rouge, and niece Laura Phillips of Springfield; grandsons, Sebastian, Slade, Patrick William and Jack Cotton, and great grandson, Aiden Cotton and mother, Taylor Hunt all of Ocala, FL; granddaughters Katherine Anne Cotton, Baton Rouge, and Danielle Card of Boston, MA. He is also survived by Godchildren, Dr. Jacqueline Curtis, Dallas, Tx.; Alexandra Ghara, Washington, D.C.; and Robert Dardenne, of Clearwater, FL; brothers-in-law, George Bourke and wife Donna, Patrick Bourke, John Bourke, and Michael Bourke; nephews, Michael Charleville and wife Blair (daughter Piper), Christopher Bourke and wife Becky (son Barrett). Survived by cousins in the Lofton, Cotton, Bourke, and Verret clans. He was predeceased by his father, George Sterling Cotton, brother-in-law Darrell J. Phillips; best friend, Bob Dardenne, and niece Mimi Charleville Bourke. He was born August 1, 1946, in Baton Rouge. He was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School, LSU School of Journalism and LSU Law School and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a reporter for the Palm Beach Times, the Morning Advocate and State-Times, from 1969-83. George began his local newspaper career at the Morning Advocate in 1971, later moving to the State-Times where he worked until 1983. He cared deeply about education - particularly the public school system. He was honored by multiple news and education organizations for his coverage of education, particularly desegregation of the EBR Parish School system. He clerked at the Louisiana Supreme Court 1985-86. He was in private practice from 1986-2005, and following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he joined the Office of Chief Counsel, FEMA, and served as FEMA's counsel until retirement in 2013. His family is grateful for the care given by the many physicians and nurses of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (especially Dr. Araujo and NP Erica Nowell) in Houston, TX, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Dr. David Hanson, and Hospice of Baton Rouge, (especially nurse Julie and CNA Diane). Pallbearers are Sebastian Cotton, Slade Cotton, Patrick Cotton, Robert Dardenne, Michael Charleville, and Christopher Bourke. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 9:30am to 11:00am at University United Methodist Church (3350 Dalrymple Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70802). The funeral service will follow at 11:00am with a reception immediately following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall until 12:45pm. Burial will follow the reception at Roselawn Memorial Park (4045 North St, Baton Rouge, LA 70806). Memorial donations may be made to: The Sarcoma Foundation of America P.O. Box 98160 Washington, D.C., 20090-8160.