Ray Cotton, 1924 - 2007

Edward Raymond Cotton, longtime residetn of Watino, Alberta, passed away suddenly on Aug. 29, 2007 at Ouellets’ garden near Watino at 82 years of age. Ray was born in Strathclair, Manitoba on Dec. 22, 1924. When was only two years old, his mother Gertrude passed away. Ray’s father Jess Cotton and Uncle Alf moved the family to Blueberry Mountain, Alberta, which consisted of two brothers Joe and George and one sister Lucy. Ray’s father and uncle are both buried there in Blueberry Mountain. Ray and Violet were married Feb. 11, 1947 and they resided in Watino. Ray and Violet had three daughters and five sons. Ray worked on the Watino Ferry until the bridge was built in 1950. He also worked for Park Brothers and for Bain Brothers in Beaton River, British Columbia. That spring, Ray went into cattle and grew grain and in the fall he had a threshing crew that went from neighbour to neighbour helping each other. Ray was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed and his door was always open. You could have a coffee or a beer if he had it. He would be the first one to tell you he liked his beer. Ray worked very hard all his life. In the last 20 years, he helped Tobie in the garden wherever he could. Tobie and Ray were like two peas in a pod. Ray is predeceased by his wife Violet, his granddaughter Wanda Ouellet, his two brothers Joe and George, his sister Lucy Boreen. Ray will be missed by his eight children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews, and lots of friends. Ray is survived by his children; Linda (Tobie) Ouellet of Watino, Judy (Jean) Fortier of Valleyview, Terry (Johnny) Paradis of Girouxville, Eddie (Vicky) Cotton of Falher, Doug Cotton of Eaglesham, Albert (Dolly) Cotton of Eaglesham, Garry (Cindy) Cotton of Watino, and Davie (Connie) Cotton of Grande Prairie. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Michael Paradis, Claude Paradis, Danny Paradis, Steven Fortier, Timmy Fortier, Randy Cotton, Neil Cotton, Wade Ouellet, Amanda Cotton, Brandon Cotton, Michelle Cotton, Kristen Cotton, and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sept. 3 at Eaglesham. Interment followed at Pleasant View Cemetery in Eaglesham. Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of Memories in Peace River.