Jerry Lee Cotton

Jerry Lee Cotton, aged 88, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Jerry was born on January 04, 1936, in Bradley, Oklahoma, to Bessie and Raymond "Dillard" Cotton. He was raised alongside his siblings Raymond, Ronnie, Lois, Virgil, and Gilbert. Jerry attended a one-room country school house in Alex, Oklahoma. After his father passing from cancer following his return from WWII, Jerry and his brothers worked various jobs from a very young age.

Jerry was adventurous from childhood and was known to hop trains from town to town. He was always ornery, but a hard worker. He was handsome, charismatic, adventurous, funny, and the best brother to his siblings.

He met Wilma Horn in high school, and the two married as teenagers in 1952. From that union, he was blessed with one daughter, Doris June. Jerry began his career in the oil field in the late 1950s, with it becoming a passion. He chased the oil patches across the country for over 30 years.

Jerry met Mildred Nanney in 1958 while working in California, and from that relationship, he was blessed with his daughter Alice Jerri. Working and being on the road were when he was happiest. Many heard him say, "you don't tell this racehorse whoa!"

While working in Butte, Montana, Jerry married Barbara Keene in 1968. From that union, he was blessed with his daughter Annette Lee and sons Jerry Lee and infant son Ronald Ray. He also instantly became a father to Barbara’s eldest daughter Peggy Jean. They traveled the country with his brother Ronnie and his family following the oilfield company they worked for at the time. They made wonderful memories across many states together.

A quest for adventure, means for survival at a young age, and few precarious decisions along the way led him to spend time in prison. He shared how his time served impacted his spiritual life. He leaned into and built his faith while working in the prison ministry. Jerry developed his ability to paint and was known for creating countless beautiful canvases in what he called "the school of hard knocks."

Following this time, he was off to Newcastle, Wyoming, to work the crown, down and all around. During this time he married Clara Schulze in 1974. From that union, he was blessed with his son Everett Charles. Jerry loved gardening, woodworking, and teaching his children and grandchildren how to drive.

Jerry was happiest in the mountains of Colorado. He loved hiking, riding horseback, ATV-ing, and hunting for gold. He met Deborah Wagner in Parkersburg, West Virginia in 1983. The two were married for over thirty years and blessed with two daughters, Courtney Nicole and Carrie Louise. They enjoyed many decades of Rocky Mountain camping trips. This became a Cotton family tradition in which the entire family was blessed with many memories.

Jerry went to work at Turner Welding where he was known as "Hot Shot Cotton" for over twenty years. He started working side by side with founder Dale Turner. As the company grew, he began making deliveries all over the country. You couldn't name a destination that he didn't say, "I know right where that's at kid." Jerry also worked for Mudhopper Oilfield Services for ten years, driving all over the country for them as well.

Many people in the community referred to him as the father or grandfather figure they never had. He never met a stranger, was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and always wanted to help anyone get to a better place in life. In his last years, he had the opportunity to live with his daughter Carrie and her family. Kaitlin, Audrey, "PeeWee", and Hunter enjoyed having this special time with him playing checkers, learning to drive, playing dominoes, and a game of poker.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Doris Stegall; daughter Alice Burruss and husband Sherman; daughter Annette Morrison; son Jerry Morrison and wife Barbara; son Everett Schulze and wife Cheri; daughter Carrie Ditmore and husband Joshua, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to count.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Bessie and Raymond "Dillard" Cotton; brother Gilbert Cotton; son Ronald Cotton; daughter Courtney VanSant; grandson Noah Cotton; wife Debbie Cotton; brother Raymond Cotton; and brother Ronnie Cotton.