Dencil Lorraine Bandy

Cotton Bandy
Dencil Lorraine Bandy, age 93, known as Cotton because of his blonde hair, died Tuesday, 19 May 2020, at Pear Valley Senior Living, Central Point, Oregon, due to natural causes.
Cotton was born 2 December 1926, to George Alvan and Alliebelle Roberts Bandy, in the farming community near Anson, Jones County, Texas. After graduating high school, Cotton joined the US Army 23 March 1945. He served briefly in the Pacific and was released from active duty 11 February 1946.
Cotton worked on his father's farm, near Bovina, Texas, and also on Texas oil rigs, using the truck driving and heavy equipment skills he had learned in the Army.
Cotton married the first time on 30 March 1950, to Belva Ellen Park from Texico, New Mexico. Cotton moved his family from Texas to Oregon in 1953, where he lived the rest of his life. Cotton worked in the timber industry, driving Caterpillar dozer machinery to build and maintain mountain roads for logging trucks. About 1961, Cotton went to work for Pacific Power and Light on their maintenance crews, where he worked until his retirement in June 1983. After retirement from PP&L, Cotton focused on 2 of his favorite hobbies - bee keeping and deep sea fishing, which he turned into businesses, keeping him busy for many years after his "retirement" from PP&L. Many people in Rogue Valley knew him as the "Bee Man". He was also well known for his fish fries at church.
After dissolution of his first marriage, Cotton married Hildegard Elizabeth Hoeme - Hilde - of Chicago, Illinois. They were married nearly 45 years before Hilde died 9 July 2015. They lived their whole married life in Medford, Oregon.
Survivors include Cotton's 4 children from his first marriage: Beth Ellen Faulkner, husband Ray, of Graham, Washington; George Alvan Bandy, wife Mary of Florence, Oregon; Donna Leann Lewis, husband Doug, of Fallon, Nevada; and Dencil (Del) Lorraine Bandy, Jr., wife Donna Marie, of Chandler, Arizona. Cotton is also survived by his youngest brother, Alvan Don Bandy, of Bovina, Texas; as well as 5 grandchildren,11 dearly loved nieces and nephews; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
One brother and 1 sister, Jesse Jean Bandy of Gila Bend, Arizona and Vera Estellene Bandy Langford, of Anson, Texas, preceded Cotton in death.
Cotton and Hilde were long-time members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Central Point, Oregon where they are both greatly loved and missed. Cotton was frequently involved with maintenance on the building, and enjoyed working with Food Share to help families in the valley. Cotton was known for his fish fries, and for his homemade chili feeds which he served  parishioners when they returned cold and hungry from Christmas caroling. Cotton also served several terms as elder at Gloria Dei.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no public funeral will be held. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Medford, Oregon. The hope is to have a Celebration of Life for Cotton when it is safe to do so.
Cotton Bandy was not only a church member but he believed that Jesus is his Savior. It is his strong faith that encourages and sustains his family and many friends.
in lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Asante Foundation. Family is grateful to Asante and to Pear Valley for the exceptional care of our Dad.
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