Robert Lee Hance, better known as Cotton, passed away at home in Austin, TX on September 28, 2023, after a 7 year journey with cancer. Cotton was born on March 1, 1943 to Bill & Mary Frances Hance in El Paso, TX. He was the 4th child of 8, and known to his family as “Bob.” His childhood was spent living in Texas cities that border Mexico. With his blonde hair and fair skin he acquired the nickname of “Cotton.” As a middle child in a large family, Cotton mastered the art of “flying under the radar.” Although he might have been quiet, he would also be described as responsible, dependable, independent, and industrious. He was successful in sports after hours spent practicing skills. He was successful in academics due to his love of knowledge, wisdom, and curiosity about God’s creation. Cotton’s parents loved God, scripture, and the church. He grew up surrounded by a rich heritage of teaching God’s Word. Cotton graduated from high school in Laredo, TX in 1961. He started his college experience at York College in York, NE where he would meet his future wife, Nedra Drake. In his 2 years at York, Cotton played on the basketball team, performed in theater productions, and was voted “Mr. York College.” Cotton graduated from York in the spring of 1963 & married Nedra on August 29, 1963. Cotton went on to complete his education with a B.S in Chemistry from Abilene Christian University in 1966, and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from MIT in 1970. Cotton began his career in education as a chemistry professor at Abilene Christian University, and transitioned into the semiconductor industry in 1984 at Motorola in Austin, TX. He continued working at Motorola until 2003. After leaving Motorola he spent the next few years teaching and working with a startup company out of Houston, before retiring fully into grandparenting. Cotton and Nedra were married for 60 years, have 5 children, and 19 grandchildren. Throughout their married life Cotton served in their local church. Cotton taught bible classes, hosted small groups, and served as a deacon and elder. Cotton and Nedra also spent many years serving as foster parents. Cotton loved his wife and family deeply. He was a dad who knew the answer to almost every question, and he could help you with just about anything. He later was a granddad who loved holding babies, gave his grandchildren his full attention, and could be side-tracked to play or do whatever his young grandchildren requested. “Cotton’s steadfast, quiet love was there to support us all. Thank you, dear heavenly Father!” Cotton was preceded in death by his parents Bill & Mary Frances Hance, his in-laws Harold & Cora Drake, his grandson Devon Alexander Hance, his brother Jim Hance, and sister-in-law Dee Drake. Cotton is survived by his wife Nedra Hance. Children Bryon (Denise) Hance, Kirk (Kathy) Hance, Clint (Laurel) Hance, Holly (An) Tran, and Jeremy (Erica Munoz) Hance. Grandchildren Kelsey, Blake, Evan, Garrett, Kylie, Anne, Joel, Sylvia, Joshua, Katie, James, Cora, Rebecca, Alise, Binh, Tai, Grace, and Christian. Siblings Bill (Colene) Hance, Jackie (Joe) Humphrey, Mary Delle (Paul) Stelzer, Ed (Carolyn) Hance, Betty (David) Miller, Carl (Amy) Hance, and brother-in-law Rodney Drake. And a “plethora” of nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces, and friends!
Memorial Service will be at Hope Chapel (6701 Arroyo Seco) on Thursday October 19 @10am, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Partners International, https://partnersinternational.ca/ City School, https://cityschooltexas.org/
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About |
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| Name | Cotton Hance |
| Date of Birth | March 1st, 1943 |
| Date of Death | September 28th, 2023 |
| Home Town | Austin, TX, US |
| In Memoriam Donation | Partners International |
| In Memoriam Donation | City School |
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published a tribute .
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with Cotton and his family. I met Cotton when I attended ACTD # 1 and Cotton was out Table CHA. Although I had just met Cotton, as Christians we were never strangers. As my mentor, I enjoyed talking with Cotton because of his wisdom and ability to share the love of God with others. Cotton knew his purpose in life, because when one walks with God, he always gets to His destination. And I know where Cotton is.
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The best, most neighborly neighbor anyone could have ever asked for - I will miss his wit, wisdom and kindness.
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Dear family, it was years of being welcomed during your family Thanksgiving gatherings. Years of our families sitting just one row apart at church, of visiting each other, of help moving to different houses, of seeing children married and witnessing grandchildren grow up... for me, Carlos, I should also add the years of meeting with Cotton for breakfast tacos every Monday morning before work, and of struggling together, enjoying Cotton's wisdom, as we served together as elders at Hope Chapel.
Cotton did run, and he finished the race well. He now cheers us all to patiently run our own race, something that, when thinking of Cotton, becomes my even firmer commitment.
Dear Nidra, and "kids", we are eternally thankful to the Lord for Cotton's silent, faithful, pro-active, and wise example. Thanks for sharing him with us.
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published a tribute .
I knew and worked with Cotton at Abilene Christian. He was an excellent researcher. He loved his work but loved his family more. He will be missed.
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Cotton attended York College, York, NE. His freshman year was my Sophomore year. We met our future wives that year. After York we both attended ACU in Abilene, Tx. There Cotton, Nedra, myself and my wife June did things together. Those were good times. We are all looking forward to good times in the future.
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Met Mr. Hance at Tres Dias, we had brief conversation, but through him met two wonderful men of GOD, Bryon and Clint, my condolences.
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Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen
published a comment .
Cotton was my sponsor at a Tres Días Christian retreat. There, I got to really know Cotton.
When he talked about a Christian Community, he lived it.
“Make a friend. Be a friend. And bring a friend to Christ.”
That was my friend Cotton.
Rest in peace Brother
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He and Nedra blessed our life so abundantly. They opened their home to us when I had hepatitis A and no place to go. We learned hospitality from the best, the blessed
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We greatly appreciate Cotton. He loved God and his fellowman and was a committed follower of Jesus. Years ago he was part of a group that helped us to know Jesus better. Our love and prayers are with his family in their great loss. Les and Pat Bennett
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