James Edward Cotten Sr.

James "Jim" Cotten, 91, of Winnetka, California, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 11 AM. Born December 26, 1928 in Texas, Jim remained there throughout his high school years, going away to serve at the end of World War II and in the Korean War. Jim married Helen Whatley in 1953, they were married sixty years. They moved to the Los Angeles area in 1954. James earned his masters degree and taught at UCLA. He worked as a stage manager, producer, performer, actor, comedy performer, produced special effects and worked in stage crafts, retiring from NBC after working there on several television shows and appearing on the Johnny Carson Show.
Jim and his beloved wife Helen lived in Las Vegas, NV for 6 years in the 1970's, moving back to Woodland Hills, CA and then to Winnetka, CA. Jim loved humor and in his earlier years would assist performers in honing their acts, working with Rip Taylor, Glen Campbell, Harry Blackstone Jr., Totie Fields, Billy Barty and others. Jim loved art producing many carved stone and wood sculptures and paintings. He was a world traveler, interested in history and kept up on current affairs. He loved playing golf, scoring his age when he played in the week before he became ill. He worked in special effects for film producer Leon Erickson on such films as 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, Psych-Out and The Trip in the late 1960's. He appeared in a number one rated children's show Beachcomber Bill with his Famous Jim Cotten Puppets and produced afternoon television shows in the 1960s. He appeared in the Funny Farm and Hocus Pocus Las Vegas shows in the 1970's. He worked backstage with several Las Vegas Production Shows. He was so smart, he was creative - wrote plays, children's books, could paint, sculpt, sketch, build giant dragons or mirrored elephants.
As we remember Dad, it's sad to know that we will never again be blessed with the sight of him wearing a goofy hat, or laughing giddily over one of his visual jokes. Let us all remember that the world was filled with so much more laughter and joy because of a man named Jim Cotten.
James is survived by daughter Cynthia (Milton) Miller of Mora, New Mexico; son James (Melody) Cotten, Jr. of Roseburg, Oregon; and daughter Jennifer (Rudy) Gamboa of Nevada City, California. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Amy Miller, Alex Chacon, Rudy Gamboa, Jessica Cotten, Nichole Cotten, Jackson Cotten and one great grandchild Aurora Gamboa. All who knew Jim thought he was a wonderful human being - caring, giving, loving, wise and openhearted, with a quick wit and a larger than life personality.
A private memorial gathering will be held Saturday, September 12, on his daughter Jennifer's birthday, to honor and celebrate his life. Special thanks to the doctors and staff of the West Hills Hospital for the loving care given to Jim Cotten.