Leslie Cotten

Leslie Alton Cotten, Sr. was born on February 11, 1942, in Corsicana, TX. He went to be with the Lord on January 24, 2023. He was 80 years old. Les grew up in Navarro County, attending schools in Powell and Kerens. He graduated from Kerens High School in 1960. Les attended Navarro Junior College, graduating in 1974 with an Associate degree in Law Enforcement. He attended Baylor University from 1975 – 1978. Les served in the United States Army from 1960 through 1967. He was in the 36th Infantry Division Texas National Guard, 1st Armored Division, 101st Airborne and the 25th Infantry Division. While in the 25th Infantry he served in Viet Nam in the Pleiku area. In April 1966 he was wounded by mortar fire and was not expected to survive. He was taken to Japan where he was in the hospital for four months. He returned to Viet Nam after telling doctors to either send him home or send him back to Viet Nam after getting tired of being in the hospital. Les returned home from the Army in 1967 after his father passed to help get crops out. Afterwards he began his journey in Law Enforcement in December 1967 with the Corsicana Police Dept. He began as a dispatcher until February 1968 he moved to the Patrol Division as a Patrolman. In March 1975, he became an Investigator in Criminal Investigations Division. Les went to work at the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office in October 1982 as a Detective Sergeant in C.I.D. In October 1991 he was promoted to Lieutenant, then Chief Deputy. In 1992, Les ran for Sheriff of Navarro County. He was elected and took office in January 1993. He served 4 terms as Sheriff, retiring December 31, 2012. Les was a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, D.A.V., Navarro County Peace Officers Association, Sheriff’s Association of Texas, National Sheriff’s Association, N.R.A. Life member, Corsicana 100 Club and the Kerens Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a Master Mason in Corsicana Lodge AF&AM No. 174. He was a member of the Navarro County Historical Commission and served as Vice-Chairman. Les was a member of the Petty’s Chapel Baptist Church. Les married Cleta Arnold on February 20, 1968. They made a life in Corsicana with their 3 children. Les loved his family, his community and visiting with people. He loved his land and raising cattle. He enjoyed history, especially of his family and Navarro County Law Enforcement. He liked to collect about anything like badges, guns, coins, old tools and other things. He also liked researching history and had talked about writing a book on the Lawmen of Navarro County. Les spent his life proudly serving his Lord, his country, community and family. Les was preceded in death by his father, C.W. “Buddy” Cotten; his grandson, Cole Hawkins; son-in-law, Kraig Hawkins. Les is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Cleta; son, Les Jr. (Lori); daughter, Lea Hawkins; daughter, Lori Hargrove (Kalen); his mother, Hazel Cotten Carver; grandchildren, Hunter Hawkins (Danielle), Haleigh Hawkins, Heath Cotten, Kaden Hargrove, Ashtyn Bybee and Andersen Bybee. Great Granddaughter, Ivana Rodriguez. Les is also survived by brothers, Wayne Cotten (Starlett) and Mike Cotten (Marilyn) and sisters, Cheryl Talley (Gary) and Mary Ann Pease (Tom); his aunt, Wanda Baggett; sister-in-law, Reba Bickerstaff; brother-in-law, Bill Bell; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be Friday, February 3, 2023, from 5-7pm Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11:00am Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Northside Baptist Church.

Leslie Cotten

February 11, 1942 - January 24, 2023