Askew, Otis "Cotton", 79, of Ruskin, passed away on November 18, 2008. Cotton was a lifelong resident of the Tampa area and proudly served in the United States Navy. He loved fishing and trying his luck in Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Hair Askew; parents, Rufus B. and Susie M. Askew; brother, Eugene "Boe" Askew; and sister, Clara Louise Maxwell. He is survived by his loving family, daughter Gail (Craig) Sweeting; sister, Mary L. (Terry) Price; grandchildren, Monica (Brandon) Sweeting Blanchard and Shayna (Dave) Sweeting DeMedici; great-granddaughter, Maizie Blanchard; and companion of 21 years, Sarah Thornton. He is also survived by the many children that he was the adopted father and grandfather of and also his numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to give a special Thank You to the Green Team from LifePath Hospice, Sun City Center, for all of their wonderful care. There will be a gathering of family and friends on Friday, November 21, 2008 at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Cotton's life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. at Serenity Meadows. Interment will immediately follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LifePath Hospice, 12973 Telecom Parkway, Ste 100, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.