John "Jack" Cotton

John (Jack) LeGrand Cotton passed away peacefully at home on the morning of February 27, 2018. Jack was born on May 29, 1930 in Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from Benedictine High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1948 and from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1951. After serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954, Jack joined the engineering firm now know as HNTB in 1954. Retiring from HNTB as President, Central Division in 1994, Jack left a legacy of successful and dedicated project leadership for the Kansas City community and future generations. While on leave from the Navy in Kansas City, Jack was introduced to his future wife, Beverly Mullin, by his sister, Carol Cotton Lynn. What ensued was a marriage with an absolute devotion deeply admired by all who have known Jack and Bev. Jack supported his community by serving on the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City; the Civic Council; the Kansas City Area Development Council; and, the Rockhurst College Board of Trustees. Stories of Jack or “ Big Jack" as he was known are legendary among all who knew him. He had a twinkle in his eye and understood the importance of personal relationships in all facets of his life. Both the stories he shared and those told about him will remain in our hearts forever. Themes of family, roads and bridges, sports of any kind, Notre Dame, his time on aircraft carriers in the Navy, or working as an engineer are a legacy from which we all learned and will continue to be shared as treasured memories. Jack was very proud of his family and spent time being with them at family gatherings, sporting events or sharing private moments that will be cherished forever. Jack was a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend who lived a full and rewarding life and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Jack is survived by his wife, Beverly (Bev) Cotton; his daughter, Cathleen (Cathy) Rothert of Chicago; his son John (Jack) L. Cotton, Jr. and wife Susan and their son, Luke of Perth, Australia; his daughter, Elizabeth (Becky) Cotton and husband, Mark Bunnell of Kansas City and their daughters Erica Bunnell of Chicago; Sarah Bunnell and husband, Kyle Smith and their daughter, Hannah, of Delaware, Ohio; his son, Matthew (Matt) Cotton and wife Pam Marvin of Highland, New Jersey; and, his son, Chris Cotton and wife Tina and sons, Jack and Reed of Kansas City; sister, Carol Cotton Lynn of Kansas City and many cherished nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Jack held a special place in his heart for his sister Jean’s children, nieces Ginny Jackson and her children John and Tess; Kathy Brown and her sons Sam and Nathan; Susie Dillon and her son Mike, wife Kaley and their daughter Ocean. Jack will be reunited with parents Forrest (Fod) and Marie LeGrand Cotton, sister Jean Cotton Brown, nephew Mike Brown, in-laws Hugh and Mary Mullin and brother-in-law, John Lynn. The family thanks the loving caregivers, Carol, Desire and Angie who walked with Jack on his final journey on Earth with kindness and grace and Jeff Barthol for his devotion as a Communion Minister.

A Rosary will be held Monday March 5th at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass following at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. A reception will follow in More Hall. There will be a private burial service for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Kansas City or to St. Thomas More Parish. “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” George A. Moore