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The Life of JAMES RAYMOND COTTON

James Raymond Cotton, 26, died on April 17, 2012, in Kerrville, Texas. James was born August 14, 1985, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Mark and Cyndi Clawson Cotton. James is survived by his mother, Cyndi Clawson Cotton, of Johnston, Iowa. Also surviving James are his family, Aunt Barbara (Del) Harken of Ankeny, Iowa; Uncle Kevin (Jeanette) Clawson of Owatonna, Minnesota; Aunt Marlene (Royce) Paterni, of Wellsburg, Iowa; and Aunt Roxanne Heinatz, of Marble Falls, Texas; his grandparents, Walton and Donna Cotton (of Marble Falls); Uncles, Walton Cotton, Jr. (Trisha) of San Antonio, Texas; Tim Cotton of Ennis, Texas; and Andrew (Kathryn) Cotton of Boerne, Texas; Aunts, Candace (DeWayne) McCoy of San Antonio, Texas; and Carol Cotton of Burnet, Texas. James is also survived by 17 cousins throughout the United States, and his extended families – the Joe and Kerry Connell’s from Kerrville, Texas and the McMillen’s from Missouri. James leaves behind a cherished best friend, who gave him enduring love and unending encouragement, hope and happiness. He was preceded in death by his dearly loved father, Mark Carlton Cotton; grandparents, Newton and Dorothy Clawson, and Rayneda Cotton. James will forever be remembered by his dear friends who had become like family to him, having always kept them and their needs close to his heart. He was an amazing young man with an old soul, cherished for his humor, compassion, sincerity, generosity, intelligence, gentle spirit, and love for others. James had a passion for music, unbounding love for the outdoors, and an instinctive nature with animals. Who can forget the fun and joy all of us had watching James in action on the ball field in his younger years—as he played catcher for his baseball teams. (Hubbard Rebels, Yey! Texas Rangers, YEY!) He was a phenomenal catcher for his age, no matter what age he was. After seeing James and his own grandson play at Little League games, a grandfather of a high school player once hollered out at a game to “put that James Cotton in there; he’s better than the one (high schooler) you got in there now!”—James was only 12 at the time. Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League. A celebration of James’ life was held in the Chapel on the campus of Kerrville State Hospital, 721 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, April 20, 2012. A continuation of the celebration of James’ life will include visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with service at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.>>

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2012.04.25
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