Richard Bryan Cotton
Richard Bryan Cotton, of Groves, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Forever Young House in Groves, Texas. He was born September 23, 1937, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Curtis Bryan Cotton and Anna Elizabeth Nugent Cotton.
Richard was a dedicated and hard worker and started working at the Don Drive part-time while attending Thomas Jefferson High School. He worked for Gulf Oil Corporation, Marine Department and when it shut down, he went right to work for American Heavy Shipping Company as Chief Engineer, where he retired.
He served his country in the United States Army. He enjoyed reading. He looked forward to, as he would say… “learning from the right people.” He took classes in Marine Firefighting and Emergency Training at Texas A&M University, a course “Invert Gas and Crude Oil Washing” at College of Nautical Studies, South Hampton, England, U.K., a course in “Automation” Forney Engineering, Dallas, Texas, and a training course in Pollution “Bad Day at Bunker Point” Gulf Oil Corporation, Houston, Texas.
Richard was proud to be a Master Mason and served several Masonic Bodies faithfully for over 50 years. He was an Endowed Member of Nederland Masonic Lodge No. 1368 A.F. & A.M. and was accorded the Honor of the Golden Trowel Award. He was also a Past Most Excellent High Priest of Port Neches Chapter of Royal Arch Masons No. 436, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Port Neches Council of Royal and Select Masters No. 413, Member of Port Arthur Commandery No. 73, a Life Member of Valley of Galveston, Orient of Texas Ancient and Accepted Sottish Rite of Free Masonry as a 32 degree Mason and member of Galveston El Mina Shrine, Past Worthy Patron of Nederland Chapter No. 1079 Order of the Eastern Star.
Richard’s gentle spirit will remain in the hearts of all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Bryan Cotton and Anna Elizabeth Cotton; wife, Betty Jackson Cotton; brother and wife, Martin Edward Cotton and Delores Cotton; sisters and their husbands, Doris Ann Cotton Comeaux and Frances Ray Comeaux, and Irene Gertrude Cotton Lewis and Emest George Lewis; and stepdaughter, Renona Rae Rife Williams.
He is survived by wife, Jeanette Merchant Rife-Cotton; son, Richard Bryan Cotton, Jr.; stepsons, Ronald Ray Rife, Jr. and wife, Rhonda; Rodney Reagan Rife and wife, Karen; step grandchildren, Taylor Rife and wife, Alicia, Carter Rife and wife, Courtney, Roberto Mario Morgan, and Rodney Rife, Jr.
A gathering of Mr. Cotton’s family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2024, at Broussard’s. His cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 3201 Cross Timber, Building 4, Suite 300, Flower Mound, Texas 75028.
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- August 18, 2024
- 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- August 19, 2024
- 2:00 pm
Committal
Broussard’s Crematorium
- 5150, Stivers Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77705,
I regret so much that I didn’t get to make it to your Celebration of your life. I have been missing you so much. Jeanett did a great job. I won’t be able to share my trip to Orange Beach Alabama with you. I know you would be curious and details. thank you for your friendship and your kindness all the years. I will never forget you.
Godspeed, Bro. Cotton. It was a pleasure knowing you. See you There!
My Brother, We sure had some great times hunting, cooking and eating, working on various projects, going to Marksville and getting a truckload of sweet potatoes, and even going to Red Oak and getting Ed’s 1,700# gun safe. Our friendship will last beyond the grave as people will talk about the stuff we did for years to come. VIRTUS JUNXIT MORS NON SEPARABIT
My dear friend. I grew to love you, as it took baby steps ❤️.. you didn’t like to many in your space. We got past that. Become very good friends a special relationship. You always had time to listen/talk to me about millions of things..Thank you for your kindness to me. I’m grateful to have been able to help you through the years. So to my other dad I say goodbye for now and I carry you in my heart. I miss you 🌹from the daughter you never had…my heart grieves. But that’s because I grew to love a man that was special to me. No more waiting. 🌹🦋