James Robert Cotton

James Robert Cotton, 93, of Creston passed away peacefully while in the loving embrace of his wife on Monday, July 15, 2024.  It was a beautiful ending of Jim's and Ethel’s fairytale marriage.

Jim was born in Alleghany, PA on June 10, 1931 and was the son of John and Opal (Oxender) Cotton.  He graduated from Sterling High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean War.  As he always said, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”  On Dec. 27, 1951 while on leave, he married Ethel Mae Reusser and they settled on a farm near Creston in 1962 where they raised their children and enjoyed their grandchildren.  Jim retired from Morton Salt in Rittman in 1993 and he enjoyed farming his 150 acres. He loved tractors and steam engines and could fix just about anything.  A member of Tractors of Yesterday and the Wayne County Farm Bureau  and his interest in farming, tractors and a love for harmonicas took him to many places across the country.  His family called him “Atlas” as he could tell you how to get just about anywhere using landmarks that he never forgot.  Jim was a faithful member of Sterling United Methodist Church and his family will remember him as the “Supreme Ruler of Best Dad in the World”  as well as “Best Grandpa Ever.”

Surviving is his wife, Ethel of over 72 years; his children and their spouses, Terry and Joyce Cotton of Creston, Deborah Cotton of Ottawa, the late Pamela and her husband Jerry Bratcher of Creston and Barbara and Alan Zavesky of West Salem; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandsons.  Jim leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pam; grandson James; his parents and a sister Ann.

Services will be Friday, July 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Sterling United Methodist Church with Pastor Don Trigg officiating.  Burial will be in Sterling Crown Hill Cemetery.  Friends may call Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Wilderness Center, PO Box 202, Wilmot, OH 44689.