J. Dukes Wooters, Jr.,beloved husband of Catherine (nee McKenna) died peacefully after a short illness on January 21, 2015 with his family at his side. He was 97. A long-time resident of New Canaan, CT, he was born in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Larchmont, NY. He was a graduate of The Taft School, Lehigh University and Harvard Business School. He also served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps during World War II. Following the war, he volunteered to remain in Germany to assist with post-war reconstruction efforts. As the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Cotton Incorporated, a non-profit trade association founded by American cotton growers in the early 1970’s to revive the struggling domestic cotton industry, he was instrumental in creating the iconic “Seal of Cotton”, one of the most recognized brands in the country. At his induction into the American Textile Hall of Fame in 2013 he was credited with having resurrected the cotton industry by changing how Americans think about and buy clothing. In tribute to his many contributions to the cotton industry, he was recently inducted into the inaugural class of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame. Prior to joining Cotton Incorporated, he was a marketing executive at Reader’s Digest. He was also a Managing Director of Galen Associates. He served as President of Eye Surgery Fund, Inc. and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia’s Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute. At his death, he was a member of The Country Club of New Canaan and the Harvard Club. Former club associations include: New Canaan Winter Club, New Canaan Field Club and the Club at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, NM. In addition to his widow, Catherine, he is survived by five daughters by his late wife of 41 years, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby. They include Katherine (Rick) Sheppard of Bedford, NY; Joan Wooters-Reisin of New York, NY; Diane E. Wooters of Stamford, CT; Pamela (Wing) Chin of New Canaan, CT; and Jennifer (Jeremy) Goodman of New Canaan, CT. Also surviving him are five step-children and seven grandchildren including: Michael Thom, Kristine Thom, Amanda Chin, Reynolds Chin, Jack Goodman, Ella Goodman and Alexi Goodman. His second wife, Brigitte Schwarzenbach, and his brother, Charles Reynolds Wooters, predeceased him. A wake will be held Friday, January 23, 2015, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT, on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Eye Surgery Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 730, Bedford, NY 10506.