U.S. Marine Vietnam War Veteran Jay C. Cotton Dies at 73
Tucker-Quinn Funeral Home
U.S. Marine Vietnam War Veteran Jay C. Cotton Dies at 73
Jay C. Cotton, born March 20, 1950 on the first day of Spring in Rochester, N.H., was a man of great integrity, strength, and gratitude. Jay went home to be with the Lord on December 20, 2023 after a very long and courageously fought battle with illness. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of forty years, Anne (Doiron). Jay leaves behind his loving daughter, Alaysha; his son-in-law, Daniel; their three children, Paul, Christian, and Violet; his niece and her husband, Jennifer (Jeff) Carter, of Ohio; and many dear in-laws too numerous to name. He was predeceased by his parents, Homer Cotton and Katherine Mosness; sisters, Dorothy and Edith; and brother, Curtis.
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Jay was loyal to the core. He was always there when you needed him, even if you didn’t know you did. Jay bravely fought for his country as a Marine in the Vietnam War, where he was known as “the minister.” He earned two purple hearts during his service. Upon return, he raised a loving family and worked as a mailman in Greenville and as a memory teacher. His book, Absentmindedness Hurts, was one of his proudest creations.
But he was most proud of his family. Anyone who spoke with him knew how much he loved his grandchildren especially, and he was eager to tell anyone about their successes on the field or court or course. Jay loved golf most of all, and loved to joke about how it was the only sport he was good at. And good he was, winning first runner up in the NH State Championship many years ago.
Besides his unwavering faith in God, Jay’s gratitude is perhaps his greatest legacy. Right up until his last day on Earth, he professed, “I am lucky.” He felt lucky, or rather blessed, by everything- his family, his TV, a warm couch, even a good show (especially if it involved aliens or a treasure hunt). But it was his family who was lucky to have him.
Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please help us to continue his legacy by being grateful for something each and every day. “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18.