Kay Major Cotton

A Man to be Remembered

Missoula - It is with great sadness, but tremendous respect and eternal gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Kay Major Cotton on June 9, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, MT.

Kay’s life was a monument to solid, consistent values along with unrivaled determination, perseverance, grit, character, and devotion. Despite great physical challenges, his example as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to those who knew him. With never a complaint or call for sympathy he quietly (if sometimes gruffly) went about living, working, building, teaching, enjoying, and destroying expectations. His capacity for hard work was matched only by his love of the outdoors, his dedication to his family, and his appreciation of beauty of all types.

Kay was born in 1938 in St. Ignatius, MT and grew up on a ranch near Magpie Creek close to Dixon, MT. He graduated from Dixon high school and moved to Missoula and married his high school sweetheart Darlene Meckler in 1960. They moved to a small farm near Stevensville, MT next door to Darlene’s twin sister Marlene, and her husband Lonnie Ebel who was Kay’s close childhood friend. Kay achieved an accounting certification, held several jobs during his career, and retired from the University of Montana as Director of Auxiliary Services in 1996. He and Darlene relocated to St. George, UT and spent 16 years exploring America’s southwest together, making many friends along the way, and creating memories together. After Darlene passed, Kay moved back to Missoula and spent almost 10 more years in an independent living community making more friends and defying odds.

Kay was preceded in death by Darlene, his wife of 56 years, and twin sons Albert and Bartholomew. He leaves behind daughter Sandy Goranson (Pete), son Kevin Cotton (Renee), son Ted Cotton (Kristin), six grandchildren (Kendall, Karli, Annika, Rebecka, Macy, Teddy) and one great-grandson (Roran).

A memorial service will be held at the Corvallis Cemetery Saturday June 27, 2026 at 12:00 noon. A private remembrance gathering is planned at the Grange Hall in Corvallis following the service. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.

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