Obituary

Emerald Isle- Thomas J. Cottle, Jr., 71, passed away Monday, December 28, 2015, at his home. Tommy was born November 24, 1944 in Turkey, NC son of the late, Thomas J. Cottle, Sr. and Emily Lucille McGee Cottle.
A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday December 31, 2015 in the chapel of Jones Funeral Home of Swansboro with Rev. Tim Nichols officiating. 
Tommy lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he raised a family, built a business and maintained lifelong friends. He was driven and dedicated to ensuring that no one around him would ever be in need. Despite a tough exterior and significant personality quirks, he was compassionate, sentimental, and generous to a fault.
Tommy began working in the family business when he was a teenager. Although he worked a couple of odd jobs during those years, he continued working with Quality Lightning Protection for the rest of his life. He was a self-made man, having worked from the ground to the roof and everywhere in between. He eventually became sole owner and operator of the company. He worked tirelessly and from a perspective that a handshake and words of trust were more meaningful than a legal contract. With a high school education, experience, and level head, he became an astute, dynamic, and powerful businessman. He worked tirelessly for many years because he felt a sense of responsibility to his family, to his employees, and to his employees’ families. He never accepted failure or “no” for an answer.
After years of dedication, Tommy was able to purchase a second home in Emerald Isle. The “beach house” was a source of pride and offered him years of projects. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, travelling, and designing the perfect boat. Over the course of 35 years, there were many boats, including The Maine Event, Petty Cash, Thunder II, and several Strike II boats.
After discovering there is no perfect boat, he began redesigning his home and similar real estate projects. In recent years he returned to his childhood dream of buying classic cars.
Tommy loved dogs. Although he could not recall the names of many people he met, he could recount each pet he ever owned. He could also provide the details of the historical origins and temperament of every breed of dog known to man. He is preceded in death by his companion, Barry.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Barbara Jones Cottle of the home; daughters, Susan Cottle of Angier, Lisa Cottle (Ronnie Jordan) of Willow Springs, Cindy Cottle (Joseph C. McClintock) of Raleigh, and Tammy Evans (Craig) of Raleigh; sons, William R. Trotter and fiancé Tamara Hamilton of Raleigh, and Joseph Ray Trotter (Jennifer) of Raleigh. He is also survived by grandchildren, David Wayne Hamilton, II, Elizabeth Victoria Sciarabba, Mindy Elizabeth Pleasant, Matthew Dean Pleasant, Christina Jordan Lucas, Nicolaus James Jordan, Michael Joseph McClintock, Nathaniel Thomas McClintock, William Alexander McClintock, Daniel Thomas McClintock, Christa Nichole Thompson, Lee Ann Evans, Jonathan Blake Hildebrand, Thomas Kelton Trotter, Lauren Michelle Trotter Springer, Tara Christine Trotter, Allison Faith Trotter, Emily Ann Trotter, Hunter DeLong, and Carlee DeLong; great grandchildren, Trey, Clyde, Lily, Luke, Ayden, Keira, Kassidy, Kamden, Kinsey, Kaden, Mason, and Sophia; sister, Pat Taylor (Tim) and their daughter, Amanda Spivey of Clayton; brother, Donnie Caudle (Carolyn) of Franklinton. He was preceded in death by his brother, O. James Cottle.
The family will receive flowers, they request potted plants please, or memorials may be made to the hospice organization of your choice.

Leon Gray Sexton

August 5, 1926 - July 2, 2015

Leon Gray Sexton, 88, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2015. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Leon was born on August 5, 1926 in Jamesville, NC. He graduated from East Carolina University and then moved to Raleigh to begin his career as an educator. Leon was a caring teacher, guidance counselor, and coach at Hugh Morson, Enloe High School, and Cary High School. He is still remembered today by many of the wonderful students that he mentored throughout his thirty six years in the teaching profession.

Leon was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Becky Ainsley Sexton, by his parents William Sexton and Virginia Modlin Sexton, and by his brother William "Bill" Sexton. He is survived by his two daughters Susan Sexton Hoffman and husband Mark, and Sherry Sexton Warren and husband Miller; grandsons Bradley and Christopher Hoffman; and sister Shirley Pinner.

Services will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, July 6th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Montlawn Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions can be made in memory of Leon to Longview Baptist Church, 2308 New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Memories and condolences may be made to:  www.montlawn.com

Enloe High School’s first senior class plans 50th reunion

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