OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Cecil M. “Max” Cotton, 85, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City. Max was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Greenbrier, Ark. He was the son of Cecil Ezra “Ed” and Esther Lee (Davis) Cotton.
His mother, Esther, passed away when Max was only two years old. His father sometimes would have to go out of town or out of state for work and Max spent much of his childhood with his grandparents, William Calvin and Priscilla (Burkett) Cotton, near Greenbrier. Max later spent much of his teen years living with his father in Conway, Ark.
As a teen, Max developed a strong interest and ability in working on radio and television equipment. He would go on to serve in the United States Army, working as a communications specialist, and he achieved the rank of warrant officer.
Following completion of his military service, Max moved to Oklahoma City to find work where he met his wife, Karen Swanson. They were married June 5, 1965 in Oklahoma City, and remained married for more than 57 years. They have one son, Calvin Cotton, of Lenexa, Kan., who was born in 1970.
While in Oklahoma City, Max worked at Tinker Air Force Base, working on aircraft navigation equipment and at Lee Mac as a television technician.
In 1974, Max, Karen and Calvin moved to the community of Peterton, northeast of Osage City. To be near Karen’s parents, living on a small acreage, where the family had many good times and memories. Max worked as a TV technician for J&L Electronics, Osage City,, from 1974 to 1979, and as a TV technician at McDaniel Hardware, Lyndon, Kan., from 1979 until his retirement 20 years later.
Max was also a longtime minister at various small churches of Church of Christ, from the time he was young and up until he was of advanced age. Churches that he preached in regularly included churches located in Wooster, Ark., Oklahoma City, Purcell, Okla., and Osage City.
Max’s favorite hobbies included gardening and reading. He was known for many years for his large and productive gardens. He also was very fond of animals. He was well-known and well-liked for his friendliness and love of conversation, he knew no strangers. Max was a member of the American Legion, Osage City.
He is survived by his wife, Karen of the home; a son, Calvin Cotton of, Lenexa, Kan.; brother, Joe Cotton, Mayflower, Ark.; niece, Carolyn Cotton; nephew, Sonny Cotton; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Max was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Larry.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Church of Christ, Osage City. Family will receive friends an hour before service. Interment with military honors will follow service at the Osage City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made House to House/Heart to Heart, and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.
