Norman James Cotton

Mr. Norman James Cotton, 73, of Melbourne, FL, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, at William Child Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida. The funeral mass will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Americus, Georgia. Interment with full military honors will follow at 2:30 in the cemetery at Andersonville National Historic Site. Father Alfonso Gutierrez will officiate. A rosary service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, at Hancock Funeral Home following which a visitation will be held from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Born February 6, 1937, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Mr. Cotton was a son of the late William Christie Cotton, Jr. and Florence Anita LaRocque Cotton. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving more than 33 years during which time he earned many medals, commendations, and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a Catholic and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his children, Norman James Cotton, Jr. of Melbourne, FL, Janice M. Nieves of Rockledge, FL, James M. Cotton of China, Christopher L. Cotton of Germany, David W. Cotton of Melbourne, FL, Stephen P. Cotton of Ormond Beach, FL, and Rachael C. Cotton of Suwanee, Georgia; a brother, William C. Cotton, III of Pawtucket, RI; his former wife, Jane McGowan of Melbourne, FL; 14 grandchildren; and two nieces, Donna Gargano and Susan Cotton, both of Providence, RI. It is the request of the family that those who attend the funeral dress in red, white, and blue, if possible. In lieu of flowers, family members request that memorial gifts be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950. For submitting donations on line, access www.stjude.org. Click donate now, then click memorial gift. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709-3917.