Obituary of Ronald B. Cotten

Ronald B. Cotten, 75, of Gerry, NY, formerly of 240 Summit Ave., Jamestown, died at 9:48 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 in WCA Hospital. He was born February 15, 1939 in Jamestown, a son of the late Burdell and Betty Richardson Cotten. Ron was a graduate of the former Mayville Central School, Jamestown Community College, received a certificate of completion from John Jay College in New York and completed numerous law enforcement schools. A US Navy veteran, Ron served in Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven. He was home ported at The Naval Airtest Center in Patuxent River, MD and was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Argentia, New Foundland. The squadron's primary duty was to fly the North Atlantic Radar Barrier from New Foundland to the Azores and back to track hostile aircraft heading toward North America. He received an Honorable Discharge in May of 1960. Ron was a retired Sergeant with the Jamestown Police Department where he served as Platoon Sergeant, Commander of the Tactical Patrol Unit and Street Crimes Unit, was a member of the S.W.A.T. Team, and instructed firearms and defensive tactics. He retired in 1988. It was during these years that his platoon designated the name 'Cotton Alley' to the alley located at the end of Potter's Alley and 2nd Street. In later years, 10,000 Maniacs recorded the song, "Cotten Alley". Following retirement, he worked as a court officer for the Chautauqua County Court System. Ron received his Private Investigator License from New York State in 1991 and formed his own agency, retiring again in 2001. His many memberships include past Deputy Director of Civil Defense for Chautauqua County, past President of the Kendall Club Police Benevolent Assoc., thrice Potent Master for the Lodge of Perfection for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, director of the Jamestown Shrine Club, and a member of Mount Moriah #145 F&AM, Kharram Grotto, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Vikings, War Vets Recreation and Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association. An Eagle Scout, he was a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association, as well as always a very involved volunteer with the Blue Star Mothers. Ron was a member of Christ First United Methodist Church and served as past chairman of the Administrative Board and member of the Trustees. He was a past Commander of AMVETS Post 726, past President of the United Veterans Council of Jamestown, and was currently serving as Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Commission for the City of Jamestown. He led the efforts to move Veterans Park from its former location adjacent to the Jamestown Post Office to its present location in the park bordered by 3rd St. and McKinley Ave. He was recently honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution with their Medal of Honor awarded for Patriotism for having led the effort in providing headstones for the unmarked graves of 59 veterans. He is survived by his wife, Dixie Swanson Cotten, whom he married August 25, 1987; two daughters, Amy Cotten and Shelley Stevenson, both of Lakewood; three step-children, Jon (Lisa) Reynolds and Scott (Mary) Reynolds, both of Arizona, and Beth (Greg) Korcyl of Bemus Point; two grandchildren, Mackenzie Ray Stevenson and Chase Cotten Stevenson; four step-grandchildren, Cody Reynolds, Amandra Bluder, Crystal Reynolds and Kyle Reynolds; two great-grandchildren, Beau and Parker Bluder; and a brother, Richard L. Cotten of Altamonte Springs, FL. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Natalie Hanson and the Rev. Douglas M. Knopp will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Veterans Memorial Commission Relocation Fund, c/o the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.