The hour glass has once spilled its contents, and with the passing of the sand went the life of our dear loved one, James Edward Cotton.   On August 20, 1961, James was the first born child to Climon Edward and Nancy Jo Cotton in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Later in life, his mother, "Nancy" met James E. Ransom who became a father to James and was pivotal in his upbringing.

At an early age, James accepted Christ into his life.  James was baptized at the Peoria and Young Church of Christ, in Tulsa, OK.  James strayed away from the Church as some often do but thankfully, he found his way back to the Lord's Church and believed the Lord's word in Proverbs 22:6 , "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

James received his education through the Tulsa Public Schools System.  He attended Ralph J. Bunch Elementary, Celia Clinton Elementary, and Carver Middle School and graduated from Booker T. Washington.  James worked for various restaurants.  He was also a licensed nurse's assistant where he worked for a number of years and furthered his love and compassion for people.

James met the first love of his life and married Cynthia Fennell-Sanford and to this union three beautiful children were born, Chris, Whitney and Maurice.  Although the marriage dissolved they remained close friends.  He later met and married LaShone Taylor.

James was full of laughter, forever a jokester and always the life of the party. James loved people and never met a stranger. Everyone who knew James would tell you that he was a very genuine person who was always willing to share a laugh with you.  With his magnetic smile and personality, those who met him were drawn to him instantaneously.  Always making you laugh with his quick wit and contagious sense of humor, he loved life and lived his life as though each day could be his last.

He enjoyed basketball and running track.  He loved theater and skits where he could express himself and bring characters to life. Of course, most of those roles were just as comical as he was.  He also had a passion for the BTW T Connection band where he played the base drum and was always moving and grooving to the beat.  He really thought he was musician.  He could play a mean, broom guitar. He loved listening to old school and gospel music.   James was kind, loving and loved playing pranks. James also loved celebrating his birthday.  He would joke around and say that "his birthday" should be a national holiday were people come celebrate him.  James also loved to cook and (eat).  He would crank up the music and then the cooking was on.

Although a jokester, James had a serious side as well, especially when it pertained to his children and family. James loved his children.  One of his biggest regrets was wishing that he had spent more time with them.  He wanted all his kids to know that he loved them.  They were the best thing he had ever done.  He was proud of the men and women they had become.

James would go wherever he was needed and would help anyone.  When his father became ill, he spent the last several months taking care of him while struggling with his own health battle.  James didn't want others to worry.  Although suffering unbearable pain when asked was he in pain he would say no. His legacy of love will live on through his children and grandchildren.

His health began to fail and he was later diagnosed with cancer.  He fought a good fight until the end. His grandson Adrian, brought the Family strength and eased the pain when he said that reading Revelation 21:4 helped him, it states, " And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

On Sunday, February 23, 2020, James transitioned to Glory, putting on a new body and a new crown.  He is preceded in death by his Fathers, Climon Cotton and James E. Ransom; Mother, Nancy Jo Cotton, grandparents Georgia M. Johnson, Henry and Minnie B. Johnson, Walter and Opal Woodward and sons James Peel and Dominque Cotton.

James leaves to cherished his memory, his children: Kenyatta Peel of Tulsa, OK; Christopher Cotton (Vita) of Owasso, OK; Whitney Cotton of McKinney, TX; Maurice Cotton of Tulsa OK; Ashley Barnett of Muskogee, OK; Paris Pearson Cotton of Tulsa, OK; his brothers, Keith Cotton of Kansas City, MO; Terrance Ransom (Karen) of Yukon, OK; James Baker of Kansas City, KS; his sisters, LaTonya (Mark) Vaughn of Oklahoma City, OK; Alona (Monroe) Alexander of Tulsa, OK; Tabitha Ransom  of Tulsa, OK; Kim Ransom of Indianapolis, IN; eighteen grandchildren,  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

God looked around his garden and found an empty place,

He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful He always takes the best.

He knew you were suffering He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace be Thine".

It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone,

For a part of us went with you the day God called you home.

He enjoyed basketball and running track and loved theater and skits.  He also had a passion for the BTW T Connection band where he played the base drum and was always moving and grooving to the beat.  He loved listening to old school and gospel music.   James was kind, loving and loved playing pranks. James also loved celebrating his birthday.  He would joke around and say that "his birthday" should be a national holiday were people come celebrate him.  James also loved to cook and (eat).  He would crank up the music and then the cooking was on.

Funeral Services for Mr. James Edward Cotton are currently scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the North Peoria Church of Christ.

You may visit James on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Director's- Tulsa Chapel.