Mel Cotton, owner of the San Jose sporting goods store bearing his name, has passed away at the age of 91. He founded Mel Cotton's Sporting Goods forty years ago.
Cotton died at home while in hospice care, according to the San Jose Mercury News. He was hospitalized last month after falling and breaking an arm. While recovering from the fall, his health declined.
Cotton opened his business on Race and San Carlos Streets in 1955, first selling surplus military tents and equipment. His business grew to include gear for outdoors enthusiasts. Specialties include skiing and snowboard, camping and backpacking, fishing and hunting, and canoeing and kayaking. His son, Stanley Cotton, took over the business more than 20 years ago.
Mel Cotton served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and when he was discharged in 1945 – as a staff sergeant – he had 10 battle stars that included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Cluster and the French Croix de Guerre.
Mel Cotton was also known as a generous philantrophist. Cotton gave to a variety of charities, including agencies that helped in resettlement of Holocaust survivors. He served on the Santa Clara County grand jury, worked as a volunteer with local employment and education programs and was an active in the Jewish community
