Nov. 22, 1944 – April 8, 2013

FERRIDAY — Services for Michael J. Cotten, 68, of Ridgecrest, who died Monday, April 8, 2013, at Rapides General Medical Center in Alexandria, La., will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Evangel Temple Assembly of God with Sister Gay Bradford officiating.

Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Jena, La., under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Mr. Cotten was born Nov. 22, 1944, in Jena, the son of William Cotten and Launa Ainsworth Scruggs. He was a member of Evangel Temple Assembly of God.

Mr. Cotten worked as a superintendent at Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Sulfur, La.

Michael was a private but caring person and a loving father. He loved his family deeply.

He was very proud of his son, Randy, and all of his accomplishments. He was a perfectionist and a hard worker. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Cotten was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include one son, Michael Randy Cotten and wife, Teresa, of Newnan, Ga.; four sisters, Ernie Martin and husband, Nub, Dorothy Swaggart, all of Ridgecrest, Jean Duncan and Barbara Starr and husband, Clif, all of Vidalia; and one brother, David Scruggs and wife, Wendy, of Ridgecrest.

Pallbearers will be Clayton Dean, David Ray Scruggs, Jody Starr, Patrick Scruggs, Shawn Parker and Spencer Dean.

Honorary pallbearers will be Clif Starr, Jackie Martin, Matt Parker and Benny Loyd.

Online condolences may be sent to www.youngsfh.com.