Terry Lee Cotton Sr.
Terry Lee Cotton Sr.
Indianola
Terry Lee Cotton Sr., 79, of Indianola, Iowa, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, peacefully at his home after battles with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s diseases.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1410 W. Boston Ave., Indianola, IA 50125, with Pastor Lisa Parker and Pastor Phil Elmer officiating. A luncheon at the church will immediately follow the service.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Terry’s memory to the Solon Fire Department at 131 N. Iowa St., Solon, IA 52333.
Terry was born Feb. 13, 1943, the son of Chester and Lucille Cotton in Albert Lea, Minn. He married the love of his life and soulmate, Karen Eastvold on Aug. 27, 1960, in Albert Lea at Grace Lutheran Church.
Terry was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minn. He was a graduate of Albert Lea High School, Class of 1961. Terry started his insurance/financial career with Metropolitan Life in July of 1964 in Albert Lea. In December of 1967, he and his family moved to Mankato, Minn., where he was promoted to management for the Met Life Company. In October of 1975, he accepted the Branch Manager position in Cedar Rapids, IowaA. In 2016, Mass Mutual bought the Met Life Sales force and he continued advising/selling until his retirement in September of 2021. An amazing career of 57-plus years!
Terry and Karen lived at their home on the Lake MacBride Golf Course in Solon, Iowa, for 45-plus years. He enjoyed golfing and was an avid sports fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed socializing with his clients, friends and neighbors. He liked watching Elvis Presley and Clint Eastwood movies. But most of all he loved spending quality time with his wife and family. Terry always looked forward to helping his daughter with her Avon stores and being a chaperone for high school TSA and VEX Robotic Competitions with his son. Terry and Karen moved to Indianola, Iowa, in July of 2021.
Terry is survived by his wife, Karen, and two children: daughter, Susan (Dean) Eggers of Indianola, Iowa, and their children Alecia (Zachary) Kaczmarek of Indianola, Iowa, and Jacob (Sarah) Eggers of Grimes, Iowa; and Son, “Chip” Terry Jr. (Jacqueline) Cotton of Prescott Valley, Ariz., and their children Jocelyn (Philip) Elmer of Glendive, Mont., Maxwell (Victoria) Cotton of Belews Creek, N.C.; and nine great-grandchildren. Terry also is survived by siblings Durk (MaryAnn) Cotton, Robert (Patricia) Cotton, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents.