CDR Merrill Lee "Cotton" Talbott

On the evening of Wednesday August 8, 2018, Commander Merrill L. “Cotton” Talbott died peacefully, but unexpectedly, while resting at home. There is not enough time or pages of print to recount his love of life. He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, 87 years ago on January 31, 1931 to Arden and Elizabeth Talbott. Supporting him in all his endeavors, navy life and beyond, was his beloved wife Patricia Ann Reddell Talbott. She predeceased him after 53 years of marriage in 2004, a loss he felt always. Emily Benton, Baton Rouge was a companion in the later years, a source of great happiness. Cotton was especially loved and cared for by his daughter and son who brought joy and laughter to his life. Commander Talbott is survived by his daughter, Mary Lizabeth Talbott and her husband, Galen Brown, New Orleans; his son Stephen Clay Talbott and his wife, Laura Coker Talbott, Mandeville; by his two grandsons, Stephen Merrill and Thomas Alan Talbott, Mandeville; his sister Elizabeth “Betty Sue” Wengert and her husband Walter Wengert, Orange Park, FL; his brother-in-law, LTC Eugene Reddell, Army, Ret., Pearland, Texas; as well as several nieces and numerous cousins. He had countless friends, all of whom were dear to him. The family moved from Chillicothe to Corpus Christi when Cotton was 4-years old. He was quickly nicknamed “Cotton” by schoolmates because of his white-blonde hair. This name he enjoyed and retained his entire life. After living in Corpus Christi for seven years the family added Betty Sue, a little sister. Cotton later graduated from Sulphur High School in 1947 and McNeese State University in 1955. While at McNeese the rodeo team of which he was a founding member won the National AAA Intercollegiate Rodeo Championship. His naval reserve summer duties earned him the "Honor Man” award at the Great Lake, Illinois Naval Training Center. Following graduation, Cotton was commissioned as an officer and assigned to his first destroyer escort in Newport, Rhode Island. Cotton was sent to the navy submarine school in New London, CT, where he returned as an instructor after being stationed in Key West, FL aboard the U.S.S. Spikefish. After these tours, new orders sent him submarine duty in Charleston, SC. Cotton requested a transfer to surface warfare during the Vietnam War. He was stationed aboard the ammunition ship, U.S.S. Rainier, berthed in Walnut Creek, CA. While serving two tours, the U.S.S. Rainier earned the “E” award for excellence and Cotton was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. After this tour he was sent to Virginia Beach, VA where he served on the CINCLANT staff and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Retiring from the 8th Naval District New Orleans, Cotton received the Meritorious Service Medal for 28 years active military service. Following military service, Cotton’s civilian profession combined his military training with his love of the sea. He attained the difficult Coast Guard certification All-Oceans license, and for 12 years delivered tugs and supply boats all over the world. Cotton was a competitive and champion skeet shooter. During his military career, he was a founding member of the Armed Forces Skeet Association. He served as the All-Navy Shotgun Team Captain for 10 years and was Military All-American twice. A true ambassador for the sport, Cotton was an active member of various skeet associations and provided leadership in skeet shoots across the country. The AFSA inducted Cotton into the Hall Of Fame in 1991. In 1992, he was awarded the General Kenneth Pletcher award for his service to the association and to skeet shooting. In 2011, Cotton was selected as one of AFSA’s Directors Emeritus and continued to provide guidance and mentorship until his passing. Cotton was elected to the Louisiana Sporting Clays Association Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2014 Cotton was the recipient of the coveted Ray Boller award and was inducted into National Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame at that time. Cotton was a member of St. Timothy’s Methodist Church. He looked forward to the church’s weekly Men’s Bible Study. He served as a life member of the Navy League; member of the Military Officers Association of America, MOAA Ozone Chapter; Naval Order of the United States, National Officer from 2010 to the present; Redfish Submariners; United States Submarine Veterans; The Holland Club, Submarine Veterans; and Board Member of Forest Park Homeowner Association. Cotton made life-long friends in all of these many endeavors. He was unflagging and loyal to all of them. As avid sportsmen, Cotton and his son Clay enjoyed hunting, sailboat racing, and trail-riding. Colorado guide, rodeo rider, spear fisherman, drag racer, scuba diver, parachute jumper, gardener, chef, and wine cellar builder - all are a testament to his unstoppable spirit and joy and love of life. Cotton was always grateful for all the gifts given to him. We will miss him terribly. Please join us for a celebration of Cotton's life at memorial services at St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, Louisiana 70471 on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. sharp with visitation at the church 10:00 preceding service. No flowers, please. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of CDR Talbott be made to Wounded Warriors, 877.832.6997, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256. E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

CDR Merrill Lee "Cotton" Talbott

January 31, 1931 - August 8, 2018