A Korean War veteran who put his education on hold to serve his country decades ago walked the stage with Frostproof’s Class of 2018 this week, at last a high school graduate.
- Arthur Cotton, 87, would have graduated in 1950
- Joined the Marines during sophomore year
- Worked in aerospace industry for 40 years
Arthur Cotton, 87, of Frostproof is getting around just fine despite his age. Early on graduation day, he was out cutting his front yard before he prepared for his big day.
He would’ve graduated in 1950 had he not joined the Marines when he was a sophomore in high school.
“There was nothing to do for young people in a little atmosphere like Frostproof," Cotton said. "There were no jobs (other) than to work in the fruit industry."
Cotton earned his GED in 1965, but he still felt like something was missing without having his diploma.
“It’s an honor. I felt I owed it to my children, my three kids," Cotton explained. "Because I pushed them so hard when they were young to get an education."
Not graduating from high school didn’t thwart his success though.
He played football for the Marines, and then was sent off to war in Korea.
“I got all my experience just working on airplanes,” Cotton said.
In all, he spent more than 40 years working in the aerospace industry, both while in the Marines and then working for the federal government.
“I didn’t have nothing but that tenth grade level education," Cotton explained. "But I worked with people that were smart and I got smart."
He only wishes his wife, who passed away nearly two years ago, could’ve been there for his graduation.