Lawrence M. CottaJuly 19, 1922 - September 06, 2017TulareLawrence M. Cotta passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 6, 2017. Lawrence was born on July 19, 1922 to Manuel D. Cotta Jr and Mary E. Cotta in Goshen, Ca. He attended Packwood School prior to the family moving to Tulare whereupon he attended Wilson, Central Grammar, and Tulare Union High School. Lawrence worked on the family dairy until the outbreak of
World War II. In 1942, Lawrence began his military career serving in the North African and European Campaigns in the 91st Infantry Division where he earned the
Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and a
Purple Heart. After the War, he returned home to the family farm. He farmed until the 1970s whereupon he began a new venture working as a salesman for New Holland Equipment. He retired in 1987. Lawrence was a member of St Aloysius Catholic Church and proud to be a Lifetime member of Amvets Post 56, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Sons of Italy, past President of Tulare County Cabrillo Club, and volunteered many years for the World Ag Expo show. He, along with his granddaughter, Brianne Lewis, was able to go on the Central Valley Honor Flight for WWII Veterans to Washington DC. In 2015. His hobbies included bowling, golf, dancing, traveling, and going to the casino. He was a regular daily customer at Salles Café until his health failed. But above all, Lawrence loved being around his family and will be sorely missed by them and all his friends. He was married to Hazel Mae Mederos for 21 years prior to her death. He later married Lillian Pedroncelli and would have celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary next year. He was preceded in death by his first wife Hazel, his daughter Gloria Bragg, his son Brian Pedroncelli, his mother and father, and brothers Anselm and Clarence. He is survived by his wife Lillian, son Greg Cotta (Theresa) of Tulare, son Ronnie Pedroncelli (Karen) of Visalia, daughter Patti Logan (Tom) of Tallahassee, Florida, son Larry Pedroncelli (Linda) of Tulare, and daughter Luann Pedroncelli of Tulare. Grandchildren Brianne Lewis (John) of Tulare, Danielle Pedroncelli of Tulare, Nicole Taylor (Brian) of Bakersfield, Shaun Pedroncelli (Sylvia) of Visalia, Michelle Logan (Mike) of Tallahassee, Shaun Logan (Jennifer) of Tallahassee, Angela Vega (Larry) of Moxee City, Washington, and Heather Christenson (Dwight) of Tulare. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou Whiteside of Pismo Beach and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 4-8 p.m. at Miller's Tulare Funeral Home, 151 North "H" Street, Tulare. Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017, 10:30 am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 E. Pleasant Ave., Tulare, with burial at Tulare District Cemetery. Arrangements are entrust to Miller's Tulare Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Brianne's husband, John Lewis, for his skilled care with great patience and compassion allowing "VO" to live a comfortable and dignified life during his last months of failing health.
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