25, 2004, the morning after his death, The Arizona Republic sports section's headline read: "Brightest Sun Fitzsimmons dies." "Cotton Fitzsimmons embodied all things that are great about life and the game of basketball," Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo said. "His energy, passion and upbeat approach to everything impacted those that he touched in a positive and meaningful way." Fitzsimmons was survived by his wife JoAnn, and his son, Gary. Gary Fitzsimmons has had a lengthy career as a basketball assistant coach, scout and executive. He serves as vice president and assistant general manager of the Atlanta Hawks. Mabel McCormick, a program supporter (her husband was the volunteer team doctor) who kept the scorebook and statistics for Fitzsimmons at Moberly Community College, lived to be over 100 years old. She said her relationship with Fitzsimmons was special. McCormick said that she played a role in recruiting Fitzsimmons to Moberly after having seen him play at Hannibal-LaGrange, saying she went to the board and recommended him, along with an influential sports writer from the area. "I was convinced he was the right person," she said. She said of their relationship afterwards, “During his days here, Cotton was like a member of my family. He probably is my favorite. Even after he left Moberly and ended up with professional basketball we kept in close contact with one another and he would come to Moberly to visit me.” “You're not going to make me have a bad day. If there's oxygen on earth and I'm breathing, it's going to be a good day.” ― Fitzsimmons Honors and awards In 1966 and 1967, Fitzsimmons was selected as "Coach of the Tournament" at the NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Fitzsimmons was named Big 8 Coach of the Year in 1970. Fitzsimmons was NBA Coach of the Year in 1979 & 1989. In 1981, Fitzsimmons was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Fitzsimmons was inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1985. Fitzsimmons' jersey was retired by Hannibal-LaGrange University. In 1995, Fitzsimmons was selected as the "NAIA Alumnus of the Year." In 2004, Fitzsimmons was inducted into the Midwestern State University Hall of Honor. In both 2011 and 2012, Fitzsimmons was posthumously nominated for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2015, Fitzsimmons was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. The Phoenix Suns retired the Number