Ensign, United States Navy, c. 1942-1945; Risk Manager, Simpson Timber Company, a lumber firm with operations in CA and WA, c. 1949-1980; Partner, Cotter- [Warren] Stanley Construction Company, 1980-?;

Coursework, University of California, Berkeley; graduated from University of Washington, Seattle, WA, c. 1946;

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Cotter attended the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington, Seattle. He served in World War II as a Navy Ensign. He lived in Medina, WA, for 54 years.

Parents: William and Lazetta Cotter.

Married Shirley Cotter, c. 1954.

The Cotters had three children: Tracy Stanley, Marcy Cotter, and Nancy J. Jarimillo; grandchildren: Jason Stanley, Zachary Stanley (died pre-2007), Kelsey Stanley, Warren Belford, and Eddie Belford.

Member, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.