Richard A. Cotton

Richard Allen Cotton, of Forest Hill, died peacefully at his home on October 1. He was 58. He was known to his family and friends as Rick.

The oldest child of the late Guy Allen Cotton and Ruth Catherine Childs Cotton, Rick was born in Baltimore on October 29, 1948 and moved with his family to Bel Air in 1960.

Rick attended Bel Air High School where he was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track & field. Family members remember his love of the Bel Air Bobcat football teams, that he was a member of, and his reminiscent stories of his athletic endeavors. The outstanding 1966 football team and his 3rd place finish in the state long jump competition in 1967 are among the more memorable topics.

Rick was a regular at the popular “Hole” billiard room in Bel Air in his late teens as were many of his classmates and friends.

Rick played slo-pitch softball for many years and was a pitcher for the Frederick Ward Associates sponsored team in the Marylander league in Aberdeen. He was also a pitcher for the Rahll’s team in the Sunday league in Fallston in the mid seventies. Rick also enjoyed skiing, rafting and card playing with his cadre of friends and relatives.

Mr. Cotton was employed by Lucent Technologies from 1972 until his retirement in 1999. He was an engineering assistant. He was also a member of the Army National Guard for six years.

Friends and family of Rick are moved by his profound love of his family. Rick married Catherine L. Sullivan in March of 1970, and in August of 1971 had a son, Richard Jeremy Cotton. Rick traveled extensively with his wife, Cathy. They enjoyed trips to the Rockies in Colorado, Schems Creek in South Carolina and spent many wonderful days at Friends Lake in the Adirondacks of New York state. Rick once started a cross country trip by touching his toe in the Atlantic at Ocean City, Maryland and the trip concluded with a dip in the Pacific Ocean at Sacramento, California. He was proud of the fact that the entire trip was traveled via US Route 50. Rick was fond of country music, photography, sitting on his back deck and relished stories and laughter with his family and friends. Rick and Cathy hosted many “Santa” parties at their home where the nieces and nephews were visited by Santa Claus only a few days before Christmas. These were remembered as magical times by the children.

Rick was an avid follower of his son’s sporting events and rarely missed a game of football or lacrosse that his son participated in from recreation leagues through college.

Rick had an endearing brand of humor that he shared generously with anyone in his company.

Mr. Cotton is survived by his wife of 37 years, Catherine S. Cotton, a son, Richard Jeremy Cotton of Bel Air and his wife , Elizabeth Cotton, two sisters Karen Bradshaw and Kathy Kane both of New Park PA, a brother Guy Cotton of Bel Air, many nieces and nephews, a grandson, Sam Cotton and a granddaughter, Kate Isabelle Cotton, both of Bel Air.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Richard A. Cotton, to the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014. Please make checks payable to the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation and note that the contributions will be to support the Community Outreach Program.