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Whitworth Wilson Cotten Jr. (February 5, 1938 – September 27, 2021) was an American priest and inventor.
Whitworth Cotten | |
|---|---|
| Born | Whitworth Wilson Cotten February 5, 1938 Petersburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 2021 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Rollins College Florida Institute of Technology |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Martha DeNeen
(m. 1965; died 2015)Ellen Hamilton Cotten |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Joseph Cotten (uncle) |
Early life edit
Whitworth Wilson Cotten was born on February 5, 1938, in Petersburg, Virginia.[1] His father, Whitworth W. "Whit" Cotten Sr. (1908–1985), was an engineer turned director of public works and the brother of actor Joseph Cotten.[2] He went to Rollins College majoring in science and earned his master degree from Florida Institute of Technology majoring in advanced technologies and business administration.[1][3]
Personal life edit
Cotten was married to Martha DeNeen in 1965, and has had a son, Whitworth Wilson Cotten III, and a daughter, Martha-Carole Cotten.[1][3] He also adopted DeNeen's daughter, Deneane Fitch, from her previous marriage.[1] Their marriage lasted until DeNeen's death in May 2015.[1] Cotten later remarried to Ellen Hamilton Cotten and remained together until his death in September 2021.[3]
Career edit
Cotten started his career by joined United States Navy and served in Japan for seven years.[1][3] During this period, he invented electronics, engineered radio, and fiber optics.[1] Cotten later inventing recording conversations in the jungle which then led to the end of Vietnam War.[1][3] He then spent most of his time inventing electronic engineering.[1]
Cotten invented a chip which were used for the moon landing and invented a high speed internet cable.[1][3] He then worked for several industries, such as Stromberg Carlson, Harris, JDS Uniphase, and Broadband Communication Productions.[1] He also became a fund donors at Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, the Festival of Orchestras, and Orlando Museum of Art, and actively participating in charity.[1][3] Cotten then established a church and founded a children centre there.[1] He focused to became an Episcopalian priest and founded Martha & Whit Cotten Christian Education Center at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida.[3]
In 1983, Cotten became one of the inventor of circulating-air stoves created by Matthew W. Homolik and earned a patent for creating subscriber station part.[4] He donated and became a sponsor to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and established a historical marker to honoring his uncle actor Joseph Cotten which was located at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology on West Washington Street.[5][6]
Death edit
Cotten passed away in Orlando, Florida, on September 27, 2021, at the age of 83.[1][3]
Legacy edit
In 2023, Florida Institute of Technology established Whit and Martha Cotten Scholarship, using Cotten and his late wife first name, for his contribution at the institution.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Scholarship Information | Florida Tech". www.fit.edu. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ Writer, Staff. "Actor lent Hollywood glamor to Petersburg for decades". The Progress Index. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Whitworth Cotten Obituary (2021) - Orlando, FL - Orlando Sentinel". Legacy.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Va. Welder Builds Better Stove". Washington Post. December 25, 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Joseph Cotten honored by his hometown of Petersburg, Virginia". www.wellesnet.com. May 20, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ Writer, Michael Buettner Staff. "Leading Man". The Progress Index. Retrieved April 17, 2024.