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Jerry Cotton, Major, U.S. Army Retired, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 63, on February 22, 2014. Jerry was born on February 11, 1951, in East Saint Louis, Illinois to Roosevelt and Georgia Cotton. Jerry was the fourth of seven children. Jerry was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, attended St. Mark's Catholic Church, and graduated with the Class of 1968 from Soldan High School. In 1973, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO. He received a Masters of Arts Degree in Health Services Administration from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. In 1973, Jerry was commissioned in the Army as a Second Lieutenant. He served with distinction for over 31 years, which included twenty years in the active Army and eleven years in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. A Medical Service Corps officer, Jerry's military occupation specialty was as a Health Service Administrator. In 1973, he completed the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course at Fort Sam Houston followed by duty at Fort Sill, OK. In 1976, he completed the Army Medical Department Patient Administration Course at Fort Sam Houston followed by duty at Fort Bragg, NC and Washington, D.C. In 1980, he completed the Army Medical Department Officer Advanced Course at Fort Sam Houston and was sent overseas to West Germany for duty during the Cold War with the 8th Infantry "Pathfinder" Division, 4th Infantry "Ivy" Division, and 5th General Hospital. In 1984, as Chief of the Medical Services Assistance Team, he was assigned to 5th Army at Fort Sam Houston. This was followed by assignments to St. Louis, MO and Fort Bragg, NC. In 1990, Jerry was sent to Panama City, Panama as the Chief of the Clinical Support Division for Gorgas Army Hospital and later as the Executive Officer for the Army Dental Activity in Panama. While stationed by the Army in Panama, Jerry met and later married Dilia. The couple resided in Panama City for several years. In 1999, Jerry and Dilia moved to San Juan, PR along with U.S. Army South USARSO, which was moved to Fort Buchanan, PR, from Fort Clayton, Panama as part of the Army's implementation of the Panama Canal Treaty. In 2003, Jerry and his wife moved again with USARSO as the Army moved the command from Puerto Rico to Fort Sam Houston. In 2004, Jerry retired from the Army. His military decorations include three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal and four awards of the Army Achievement Medal. Jerry was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve. After retirement from the Army, Jerry worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a civilian medical planner providing training and assistance to the army of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A year later, he returned to his chosen profession as a high school teacher. During a period spanning nearly two decades, Jerry taught students in Panama, Puerto Rico, and Texas. He carefully balanced the time and demands required as a teacher with those of his duties in the Army Reserve and National Guard. Jerry sincerely cared about his students and he worked tirelessly towards their education and well being. Jerry had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed working and landscaping in his well tended yard. He was also an enthusiastic handyman and an inventive tinkerer. Jerry loved music, especially Latin and Soul, and really liked dancing salsa and merengue. When among neighbors and friends, Jerry's cooking skills on a barbeque grill were highly acclaimed. Jerry always found joy in life, family, and friends; and always looked forward to what the next day had to offer. His cheerful smile and warm personality will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He and his wife attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Selma, TX. Jerry considered the wonderful combination of St. Louis, Panama City, and San Antonio as his mosaic homestead. Jerry was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mattie Edwards; his father, Roosevelt Cotton; his two brothers, Roosevelt Cotton Jr. and Anthony Cotton; his sister, Rosemary Cotton; and his stepfather Leo Carter. Jerry is survived by his wife, Dilia Applewhite-Cotton of Selma, TX; his mother Georgia Edwards Carter of St. Louis, MO; and Jerry's two sons and stepson and their families, Jerry Cotton Jr. of St. Louis, MO; Corey Cotton of St. Louis, MO; and Hernan Guerrero Applewhite of Miami, FL. Also surviving him are his two sisters and one brother and their families, Fayetta Young of St. Louis, MO; Deidre Clay of St. Louis, MO; and Leo Carter Jr. of Fort Worth, TX; and Jerry's sister in-law and brother in-law and their families of Panama City, Panama, Kerima Applewhite and Gerardo Applewhite. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, 7 March 2014, 11:00 A.M.-12:00 noon, at the Alamo Funeral Chapel, 624 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX. A Memorial Service will be conducted 12:00-1:00 P.M. at the same location. Interment with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be conducted 1:30-2:00 P.M. In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests contributions are made in memory of Jerry to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, see internet website -- www.stjude.org Friends and family are invited to attend a reception held in Jerry's honor, 2:30-4:00 P.M., at the Fort Sam Houston Resident Center formerly the Officers Club, 407 Dickman Rd., Fort Sam Houston. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Alamo Funeral Chapel, 624 N. Alamo, San Antonio, TX, phone 210 554-5000. To post or view condolences please log on at -- www.missionparks.com/obituary

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Jerry Cotton

February 11, 1951 - February 22, 2014