Steve Cotton, one of my best friends for 20 years. Steve and I met on a rainy day at a key club event picking garlic mustard plants if I remember correctly. We started to become friends over a love of rock music, one that at the time not many people knew about. Steve and I became better friends toward the end of high school, driving around while Steve was running on E( he literally sometimes stalled the car into the gas station) something to this day gives me anxiety and I usually fill up at a half a tank thanks to him. We played video games to the early hours of the morning, something I know he loved and became great at with his sim racing. We went to concerts, festivals and so many things together. He shared his love of biking with me and a great memory about that is we rode 30 miles round trip, ate an entire watermelon together and crashed some jazz festival at I believe the botanical gardens covered in sweat. Or when he dressed as a pirate and gained the moniker Steve the pirate, with his jack sparrow impression. We continued our friendship in college, hanging out almost every weekend. One of my favorite stories is when we first hung out with Derek. We bought a bunch of candy and drove around yelling compliments at people and throwing candy at them to brighten their day in the most bizarre and silly way possible. Steve was there for me when I went through a dark season of panic attacks and ultimately is the reason I finally turned back to God. I am eternally grateful for that and I often thanked him for that. I was there for him to when he went to the hospital and prayed with him during the trials of his life. There are so many memories, so many thoughts that have rushed into my head it’s hard to put them all down. Steve Cotton was my friend, my brother, my groomsmen, my person who I could be goofy and zany with.

Some of Steve’s unique characteristics revolved around the core of who Steve was. Steve was one of the most compassionate people I knew. He volunteered for the special needs community and even worked with Evan for almost a decade. Steve was actively involved in or at least aquatinted with all of my radically diverse friend group which included, metalheads, nerds, some more preppy, and later in life after my conversion Cru Christians. He never judged and cared about everyone. His legacy, caring, zaniness, introspective qualities, compassion and genuine desire to do well have impacted me since I was 14. Steve has and will have had a permanent impact on my life. I pray when you think of Steve, think on these things as I will, how we were all better knowing an uncommon man in a dark world. 

Steve was someone who was so genuinely himself at all times. From his love of REN Faires, love of metal, Cattrikes, and racing; and most importantly the kindest person I’ve ever met.

When we talked, even if it was stops through prime or at the grocery store when I was visiting family in Brookfield, or back during our school days, he was genuinely interested in catching up. He drew you in, in the best way. 

He is not someone I’ll forget because he was unforgettable in the best way possible. His proof love and kindness has a lasting effect. 

Thanks for always being you Steve, it always made my day running into you. 

Sending love to the Cotton family.