On February 2nd, 2024, Reverend Arthur Lee Cotton (83) passed away at his home in Bangor while being cared for by the love of his life, E. Carol Cotton—his wife of sixty-six years.
Art was born in Lewiston, Maine, in January of 1941, the son of Irene Blake Cotton and Ray Everett Cotton. He spent his growing-up years just beyond the railroad tracks in Mechanic Falls, Maine.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Carol, and his four children and spouses, Robin & David, Kimberly, Timothy & Amy, and Priscilla & Jason. He was a wonderful and loving father, and later a grandfather to ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, with two more expected this year.
Arthur was pre-deceased by his father, Ray E. Cotton, mother Irene Blake Hall, sister, Phyllis Copp, and brothers Leonard (Joe), Alan, and Gary Cotton. Brother Larry Cotton survives him.
Art was an avid athlete, playing both high school baseball and basketball. He was a standout in the Western Maine Conference. He continued playing in town league baseball with the Auburn Asas as a catcher and cleanup batter well into his mid-twenties when making a living for his growing family took center stage.
Art studied for the ministry at Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, New York, but before entering the ministry, he became an Auburn Police Officer, a job he loved.
Arthur became pastor of Casco Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in 1967, moving to the pastorate of the Bangor Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in 1970.
Later, he went on to serve in churches in the following locations: Bucks Harbor and Larrabee, Maine, Toccoa Falls, Georgia, Lagrange, Newburgh, Jackman, and Stockton Springs, Maine, and at the North Deering Alliance Church in Portland, Maine.
Art wound up his ministry in Cherryfield, Maine when his health dictated it was time to retire, but he never stopped sharing the gospel with those who came across his path.
Art also served as director and later, co-director of Inter-Church Ministries of New England for several years, a ministry that now serves to fill pulpits in over 500 churches in Maine, New England, and Canada.
Art worked as an insurance agent to provide for his family throughout his ministries. He was an award-winning salesman with both Combined Insurance and Allstate Insurance companies.
A lifelong member of the Bangor YMCA, Art Cotton would often be seen playing in a noontime basketball league well into his sixties, and he rarely missed a shot. He played adult league basketball for years and served as a cleanup hitter and third baseman in numerous church softball leagues.
Art loved his wife, kids, grandchildren, dogs, and the Red Sox after being redeemed from being a Yankees fan sometime in his early twenties.
Dad will miss having coffee with Carol and Jimmy & Elaine Daye. Especially on the days he and Jim would get two-for-one cheeseburgers at Burger King. Art will also miss the free refills.
He never met a person he didn't like, and he'd talk to anyone at any time about any topic. We, his children, know that Dad would give you the shirt off his back, but it's not hyperbole; we saw him do it with our own eyes in the church on more than one occasion. We also saw him give a person—with less than nothing— the last three dollars out of his wallet, having faith that his needs would be met, and they always were.
Most important to Arthur was his love for Christ; he looked forward to going to heaven and meeting him face-to-face most of all.
His favorite verse, Philippians 1:21—"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," will be inscribed on his headstone, as he wished.
Arthur, a faithful, reliable husband and father, loved us; we were a blessed family to be under his care and guidance for so long.
Dad will be missed, but we look forward to seeing him again soon.
A service celebrating Art’s life is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 7th at 12:00 noon, at Hermon Baptist Church with the Rev. Garnett Chute officiating.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arthur Cotton, please visit our flower store.
Art was born in Lewiston, Maine, in January of 1941, the son of Irene Blake Cotton and Ray Everett Cotton. He spent his growing-up years just beyond the railroad tracks in Mechanic Falls, Maine.
Arthur is survived by his wife, Carol, and his four children and spouses, Robin & David, Kimberly, Timothy & Amy, and Priscilla & Jason. He was a wonderful and loving father, and later a grandfather to ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, with two more expected this year.
Arthur was pre-deceased by his father, Ray E. Cotton, mother Irene Blake Hall, sister, Phyllis Copp, and brothers Leonard (Joe), Alan, and Gary Cotton. Brother Larry Cotton survives him.
Art was an avid athlete, playing both high school baseball and basketball. He was a standout in the Western Maine Conference. He continued playing in town league baseball with the Auburn Asas as a catcher and cleanup batter well into his mid-twenties when making a living for his growing family took center stage.
Art studied for the ministry at Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, New York, but before entering the ministry, he became an Auburn Police Officer, a job he loved.
Arthur became pastor of Casco Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in 1967, moving to the pastorate of the Bangor Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in 1970.
Later, he went on to serve in churches in the following locations: Bucks Harbor and Larrabee, Maine, Toccoa Falls, Georgia, Lagrange, Newburgh, Jackman, and Stockton Springs, Maine, and at the North Deering Alliance Church in Portland, Maine.
Art wound up his ministry in Cherryfield, Maine when his health dictated it was time to retire, but he never stopped sharing the gospel with those who came across his path.
Art also served as director and later, co-director of Inter-Church Ministries of New England for several years, a ministry that now serves to fill pulpits in over 500 churches in Maine, New England, and Canada.
Art worked as an insurance agent to provide for his family throughout his ministries. He was an award-winning salesman with both Combined Insurance and Allstate Insurance companies.
A lifelong member of the Bangor YMCA, Art Cotton would often be seen playing in a noontime basketball league well into his sixties, and he rarely missed a shot. He played adult league basketball for years and served as a cleanup hitter and third baseman in numerous church softball leagues.
Art loved his wife, kids, grandchildren, dogs, and the Red Sox after being redeemed from being a Yankees fan sometime in his early twenties.
Dad will miss having coffee with Carol and Jimmy & Elaine Daye. Especially on the days he and Jim would get two-for-one cheeseburgers at Burger King. Art will also miss the free refills.
He never met a person he didn't like, and he'd talk to anyone at any time about any topic. We, his children, know that Dad would give you the shirt off his back, but it's not hyperbole; we saw him do it with our own eyes in the church on more than one occasion. We also saw him give a person—with less than nothing— the last three dollars out of his wallet, having faith that his needs would be met, and they always were.
Most important to Arthur was his love for Christ; he looked forward to going to heaven and meeting him face-to-face most of all.
His favorite verse, Philippians 1:21—"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," will be inscribed on his headstone, as he wished.
Arthur, a faithful, reliable husband and father, loved us; we were a blessed family to be under his care and guidance for so long.
Dad will be missed, but we look forward to seeing him again soon.
A service celebrating Art’s life is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 7th at 12:00 noon, at Hermon Baptist Church with the Rev. Garnett Chute officiating.
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