Eugene Dale Cotten

 Eugene Dale Cotten - 1st Battalion, 9th Marine, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital from complications following a surgical procedure. 

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, at the Hotchkiss Elks Lodge #1807 in Hotchkiss, Colorado followed by a lunch reception. 

Eugene Dale Cotten was born on July 27, 1951, in Maher, Colorado to Elva Lee Drake and Orval (Jack) Aven Cotten. He grew up in Crawford, Colorado and moved to Gunnison, Colorado where he met his future wife, Nora Medina and graduated from Gunnison High School in 1970.

In June of 1970, Eugene enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Throughout his career with the Marines, Eugene boarded the USS IWO Jima, the USS New Orleans LPH-11, the USS Washtenaw, the USS Westchester County, GovAir and USS Trenton LPD-14. His regular duties as a Rifleman got him named Squad Leader achieving a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and an Expert Rifle Badge M-16. 

Upon Eugene’s honorable release from active duty in 1973, he returned to Gunnison, Colorado, reconnecting with Nora Medina. Eugene married the love of his life, Nora, on June 26, 1976. Together they celebrated 48 years of marriage and 51 years together.

Eugene obtained his Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship as a carpenter in 1981. In 1998 Eugene and Nora moved from Gunnison to Delta, Colorado. He had a passion for carpentry but found his long-term career with the Colorado Department of Corrections. He served as a Work Crew Boss for 20 years, celebrating his retirement from the correctional facility in 2018. When Eugene wasn’t working, he enjoyed dancing, camping, fishing, and shooting. We will never forget how much he loved tinkering around in his workshop inventing crazy but useful things.  

Eugene is survived by his wife of 48 years, Nora Cotten of Delta, Colorado; three children, Erica (Byrd) Widner and Amber Cotten of Colorado, Oren (Deanna) Cotten of Wyoming; six grandchildren, Joseph Widner, Zorida Cotten of Colorado and Ashley, Kevin, Laura and Leah Cotten of Wyoming; two great grandchildren, Caoimhe and Aven Widner of Colorado; his brothers Orval (Shirley) Cotten, David (Sherry) Cotten and his sister, Lois Cotten of Colorado.  

Eugene is preceded in death by his parents; Orval (Jack) and Elva Lee Cotten; his brothers James Cotten and John Cotten, and his sister Kay Cotten. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in honor of Eugene Dale Cotten to Lynch-Cotten POST NO. 190, The American Legion - PO BOX 31, Crawford, CO, 81415.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.

View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at:

www.taylorfuneralservice.com