We’re saddened to report that NSSA Hall of Fame and Armed Forces Hall of Fame inductee CDR Merrill Lee “Cotton” Talbott, USN Ret., passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at the age of 87.

CDR Talbott was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame in 2014 as the Ray Boller Award recipient. He proposed the founding of the Armed Forces Skeet Association and served as one of its first officers. In addition, Cotton served on several of the AFSA officer leadership boards and committees, was inducted into the AFSA Hall of Fame in 1991, and in 2014 earned the Pletcher Award for his service to the association and skeet shooting. In 2011, Cotton was selected as one of AFSA’s Directors Emeritus and continued to provide guidance and mentorship until his passing. Although Cotton didn’t compete in many of the most recent championships, he was always in attendance and willingly offered his advice to those who sought it. 

Services at St. Timothy United Methodist Church are pending. You can view his full obituary here. NSSA extends its condolences to CDR Talbott’s many friends and family.