Obituary
Robert S. Cotton, most affectionately known as "Bob," was born on Sept 19, 1948 in Dinuba, California, to Bertha and J. D. Cotton. He was one of five children.
Bob learned his strong work ethic from his parents. His mother instilled in him a strong sense of service to his country and others.
Bob knew at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement he took the desire to protect and serve very seriously.
Bob graduated from Sierra High School in Tollhouse, California in 1966 at the age of 17. After graduation, he went to Oregon to work the hay season. After working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week in July and August, Bob returned to Northern California to get his driver's license.
Looking for a better future, Bob took a Greyhound bus to Southern California where his childhood friend Tom picked him up and housed him for two months until he got his own place.
Bob work for Sandard Oil from November 1966 until July 1968, where he became one of the youngest lead salesman.
Bob was drafted by the Army and served from in July 1968 to 1970. Bob took his mom's words to heart: "Military service is an obligation to citizenship." He wanted to be a military police but went into the infantry: 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division. He was awarded Battalion soldier of the week, carried a M60 machine gun for 3 weeks, walked point for a squad leader, platoon leader, carry a M79 grenade launcher, radio carrier and radio operator for a company commander. "As long as Bob was walking point, nothing happens."
"I never stop being scared but being scared kept me alive." In July 1969, Bob's dream of becoming a police officer was finally being fulfilled. While stationed in Hawaii, he was selected to join the military police. While stationed in Hawaii he was selected to join the Military Police. After a year in Hawaii he returned to Southern California and went back to his job at Standard Oil until July 1971.
Bob joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on July 12th 1971 and was medically retired on November 5 1981. Those of us who know Bob know he went down kicking and screaming.
During his tenure at the sheriff's department, Bob worked in custody and the transportation division. This was one of the best times in his life.
During this time, Bob fit college into a work schedule and received his AA degree - a highlight for someone who almost didn't graduate from high school.
Bob was married to Marilyn Allen from September 1973 to October 1976.
He work for the US Marshals service from December 1985 to May 1988. One of the highlights of this job was escorting Dolly Parton to her lawsuit over the song "9 to 5".
He then went to work for Anderson Saw Company for 26 years until his retirement in 2015. "Besides being a great boss, Ray turned out to be a true friend."
Bob married Donna Lieberman in October 1990. They moved to Long Beach in 1992 where they built a life until her passing in 2000. This was one of the happiest times of his life.
Bob's hobbies included wood work, fishing, gambling and singing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bertha and J. D. Cotton, brothers Bruce and Jeff Cotton, and his wife Donna Cotton.
Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory: brother Tim Cotton, sister Connie Cotton, Steve Cave his best friend of over 40 years, and a host of adopted family and friends.
A memorial service for Bob was held Saturday July 25th, 2020, at Destiny Funeral Home in Long Beach, California, with burial to follow Tuesday, July 28th, 2020, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside California.
Robert S. Cotton, most affectionately known as "Bob," was born on Sept 19, 1948 in Dinuba, California, to Bertha and J. D. Cotton. He was one of five children.
Bob learned his strong work ethic from his parents. His mother instilled in him a strong sense of service to his country and others.
Bob knew at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement he took the desire to protect and serve very seriously.
Bob graduated from Sierra High School in Tollhouse, California in 1966 at the age of 17. After graduation, he went to Oregon to work the hay season. After working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week in July and August, Bob returned to Northern California to get his driver's license.
Looking for a better future, Bob took a Greyhound bus to Southern California where his childhood friend Tom picked him up and housed him for two months until he got his own place.
Bob work for Sandard Oil from November 1966 until July 1968, where he became one of the youngest lead salesman.
Bob was drafted by the Army and served from in July 1968 to 1970. Bob took his mom's words to heart: "Military service is an obligation to citizenship." He wanted to be a military police but went into the infantry: 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division. He was awarded Battalion soldier of the week, carried a M60 machine gun for 3 weeks, walked point for a squad leader, platoon leader, carry a M79 grenade launcher, radio carrier and radio operator for a company commander. "As long as Bob was walking point, nothing happens."
"I never stop being scared but being scared kept me alive." In July 1969, Bob's dream of becoming a police officer was finally being fulfilled. While stationed in Hawaii, he was selected to join the military police. While stationed in Hawaii he was selected to join the Military Police. After a year in Hawaii he returned to Southern California and went back to his job at Standard Oil until July 1971.
Bob joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on July 12th 1971 and was medically retired on November 5 1981. Those of us who know Bob know he went down kicking and screaming.
During his tenure at the sheriff's department, Bob worked in custody and the transportation division. This was one of the best times in his life.
During this time, Bob fit college into a work schedule and received his AA degree - a highlight for someone who almost didn't graduate from high school.
Bob was married to Marilyn Allen from September 1973 to October 1976.
He work for the US Marshals service from December 1985 to May 1988. One of the highlights of this job was escorting Dolly Parton to her lawsuit over the song "9 to 5".
He then went to work for Anderson Saw Company for 26 years until his retirement in 2015. "Besides being a great boss, Ray turned out to be a true friend."
Bob married Donna Lieberman in October 1990. They moved to Long Beach in 1992 where they built a life until her passing in 2000. This was one of the happiest times of his life.
Bob's hobbies included wood work, fishing, gambling and singing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bertha and J. D. Cotton, brothers Bruce and Jeff Cotton, and his wife Donna Cotton.
Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory: brother Tim Cotton, sister Connie Cotton, Steve Cave his best friend of over 40 years, and a host of adopted family and friends.
A memorial service for Bob was held Saturday July 25th, 2020, at Destiny Funeral Home in Long Beach, California, with burial to follow Tuesday, July 28th, 2020, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside California.
Obituary
Robert S. Cotton, most affectionately known as "Bob," was born on Sept 19, 1948 in Dinuba, California, to Bertha and J. D. Cotton. He was one of five children.
Bob learned his strong work ethic from his parents. His mother instilled in him a strong sense of service to his country and others.
Bob knew at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement he took the desire to protect and serve very seriously.
Bob graduated from Sierra High School in Tollhouse, California in 1966 at the age of 17. After graduation, he went to Oregon to work the hay season. After working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week in July and August, Bob returned to Northern California to get his driver's license.
Looking for a better future, Bob took a Greyhound bus to Southern California where his childhood friend Tom picked him up and housed him for two months until he got his own place.
Bob work for Sandard Oil from November 1966 until July 1968, where he became one of the youngest lead salesman.
Bob was drafted by the Army and served from in July 1968 to 1970. Bob took his mom's words to heart: "Military service is an obligation to citizenship." He wanted to be a military police but went into the infantry: 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division. He was awarded Battalion soldier of the week, carried a M60 machine gun for 3 weeks, walked point for a squad leader, platoon leader, carry a M79 grenade launcher, radio carrier and radio operator for a company commander. "As long as Bob was walking point, nothing happens."
"I never stop being scared but being scared kept me alive." In July 1969, Bob's dream of becoming a police officer was finally being fulfilled. While stationed in Hawaii, he was selected to join the military police. While stationed in Hawaii he was selected to join the Military Police. After a year in Hawaii he returned to Southern California and went back to his job at Standard Oil until July 1971.
Bob joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on July 12th 1971 and was medically retired on November 5 1981. Those of us who know Bob know he went down kicking and screaming.
During his tenure at the sheriff's department, Bob worked in custody and the transportation division. This was one of the best times in his life.
During this time, Bob fit college into a work schedule and received his AA degree - a highlight for someone who almost didn't graduate from high school.
Bob was married to Marilyn Allen from September 1973 to October 1976.
He work for the US Marshals service from December 1985 to May 1988. One of the highlights of this job was escorting Dolly Parton to her lawsuit over the song "9 to 5".
He then went to work for Anderson Saw Company for 26 years until his retirement in 2015. "Besides being a great boss, Ray turned out to be a true friend."
Bob married Donna Lieberman in October 1990. They moved to Long Beach in 1992 where they built a life until her passing in 2000. This was one of the happiest times of his life.
Bob's hobbies included wood work, fishing, gambling and singing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bertha and J. D. Cotton, brothers Bruce and Jeff Cotton, and his wife Donna Cotton.
Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory: brother Tim Cotton, sister Connie Cotton, Steve Cave his best friend of over 40 years, and a host of adopted family and friends.
A memorial service for Bob was held Saturday July 25th, 2020, at Destiny Funeral Home in Long Beach, California, with burial to follow Tuesday, July 28th, 2020, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside California.
Robert S. Cotton, most affectionately known as "Bob," was born on Sept 19, 1948 in Dinuba, California, to Bertha and J. D. Cotton. He was one of five children.
Bob learned his strong work ethic from his parents. His mother instilled in him a strong sense of service to his country and others.
Bob knew at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement he took the desire to protect and serve very seriously.
Bob graduated from Sierra High School in Tollhouse, California in 1966 at the age of 17. After graduation, he went to Oregon to work the hay season. After working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week in July and August, Bob returned to Northern California to get his driver's license.
Looking for a better future, Bob took a Greyhound bus to Southern California where his childhood friend Tom picked him up and housed him for two months until he got his own place.
Bob work for Sandard Oil from November 1966 until July 1968, where he became one of the youngest lead salesman.
Bob was drafted by the Army and served from in July 1968 to 1970. Bob took his mom's words to heart: "Military service is an obligation to citizenship." He wanted to be a military police but went into the infantry: 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division. He was awarded Battalion soldier of the week, carried a M60 machine gun for 3 weeks, walked point for a squad leader, platoon leader, carry a M79 grenade launcher, radio carrier and radio operator for a company commander. "As long as Bob was walking point, nothing happens."
"I never stop being scared but being scared kept me alive." In July 1969, Bob's dream of becoming a police officer was finally being fulfilled. While stationed in Hawaii, he was selected to join the military police. While stationed in Hawaii he was selected to join the Military Police. After a year in Hawaii he returned to Southern California and went back to his job at Standard Oil until July 1971.
Bob joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on July 12th 1971 and was medically retired on November 5 1981. Those of us who know Bob know he went down kicking and screaming.
During his tenure at the sheriff's department, Bob worked in custody and the transportation division. This was one of the best times in his life.
During this time, Bob fit college into a work schedule and received his AA degree - a highlight for someone who almost didn't graduate from high school.
Bob was married to Marilyn Allen from September 1973 to October 1976.
He work for the US Marshals service from December 1985 to May 1988. One of the highlights of this job was escorting Dolly Parton to her lawsuit over the song "9 to 5".
He then went to work for Anderson Saw Company for 26 years until his retirement in 2015. "Besides being a great boss, Ray turned out to be a true friend."
Bob married Donna Lieberman in October 1990. They moved to Long Beach in 1992 where they built a life until her passing in 2000. This was one of the happiest times of his life.
Bob's hobbies included wood work, fishing, gambling and singing.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Bertha and J. D. Cotton, brothers Bruce and Jeff Cotton, and his wife Donna Cotton.
Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory: brother Tim Cotton, sister Connie Cotton, Steve Cave his best friend of over 40 years, and a host of adopted family and friends.
A memorial service for Bob was held Saturday July 25th, 2020, at Destiny Funeral Home in Long Beach, California, with burial to follow Tuesday, July 28th, 2020, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside California.
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