Obituary of E. Cotton Rawls Jr.

E. Cotton Rawls, Jr. of Darien passed away peacefully at Stamford Hospital on Saturday, November 12th after a heart attack. He was 80 years old.

Cotton was born on June 1st, 1942 at Stamford Hospital to Dr. Cotton Rawls and Jean Beardsley Gledhill Rawls. He was a life-long resident of Darien and attended Royle, Darien Jr. High School and Darien High School, where earlier this month he celebrated his 60th High School Reunion, and earned a BA Degree from Washington & Lee University. Following college, he attended Officers' Candidate School serving as a Navy supply officer with the rank of Lieutenant in Vietnam.

Following the Navy he was enrolled in Wharton Business School, but suffered injuries in a severe automobile accident that altered the rest of his life.

People who knew Cotton were always welcomed by his warm greeting, huge hugs and wonderful smile. He enjoyed lively conversations and reminiscing about Darien in the 50's and 60's. He particularly loved Dixieland jazz and the history of the South. He was often seen at the Darien Post Office and Grieb's Pharmacy.

At Atria, where he spent the last few years, he was loved by both his fellow residents as well as members of the staff and was so pleased to have been honored this year as the first recipient of the Resident of the Month Award.

Cotton is survived by his sister, Nancy Rawls Dauk Scull and her husband, Pete. He was predeceased by his brother, John Gledhill Rawls. Beloved family members include his niece, Jinsey Dauk, of Brooklyn, NY and her son, Hutchinson, his nephew, Peter Dauk (Tiffany) of Sedgwick, Maine and their children, Ariel, Brittyn, Morgan and Nathan and John Dauk (Sandy) of Darien and their children Jack, Lindsey and Kate.

Cotton's wishes were for a simple family gravesite gathering. In lieu of flowers he requested a contribution to the E. Cotton Rawls, Jr. Scholarship Endowment at Washington & Lee University, 204 West Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450. Att: Development Office. https://colonnadeconnections.wlu.edu/donate.