Melvin Cotten, 82, of Kenna, NM passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Cross Bar Cowboy Church in Andrews with Pastor Leonard Cotten officiating assisted by Pastor Justin Cotten. Interment will follow in the Andrews Old Cemetery under the personal care of McNett Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 24, 2016 from 6 – 8 PM at McNett Funeral Home. Please celebrate the life of Melvin by visiting www.mcnettfuneeralhome.com.
Melvin Lewis Cotten was born August 8, 1933, at home on the Munger-Nix Ranch, 12 miles west of Andrews. Melvin and his twin sister, Mildred, were the fifth and sixth children of W. B. and Blanche Cotten, of Andrews County, Texas. Melvin attended school in Andrews, Texas, and graduated in Artesia, New Mexico, in 1951.
Melvin met Carol Jean Morrow in 1948, in the tenth grade biology class at Andrews High School. Melvin, at 16 years of age, had moved away from home and was taking care of the Miles Ranch, which encompassed about 65 sections of land. Later, Melvin moved to Artesia and started his senior year there. Melvin and Carol were married during Christmas vacation. They had a beautiful wedding at the First Assembly of God Church, December 23, 1950. After graduation, they moved to Melvin’s daddy’s ranch for a short time. Next, they worked at the Ratliff Ranch, in western Andrews County. In June of 1952, Melvin was employed by Foy Proctor and moved to the C Ranch, in eastern Andrews County, which at that time was over 300 sections.
June 19,1954, their first child, Melvin Leonard was born. In 1955, when Leonard was one year old, Melvin was called to serve his country in the Army. The family moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Melvin was then stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He served in Headquarters Company 3rd Armored Division Honor Guard from July 1956 to May 1957. He was assigned to drive tanks. While Melvin was in Germany, Candy Jean was born January 17, 1957, in Roswell, New Mexico. Following his discharge, Melvin and his family returned to the C Ranch and lived at the N.A. Camp.
In 1958, at age 24, Melvin became foreman of the C Ranch. He and Carol moved to the C Ranch headquarters in 1962. Cody Hahl was born August 12,1973.
In the1980’s Melvin obtained the lease on the C Ranch and continued to operate it for over 25 years. Melvin and Carol called the C Ranch ‘home’ for over fifty years working there and operating it themselves. In 2003 they purchased a ranch in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, and moved to live there.
In 2008 Melvin was honored by the Haley Museum in Midland, with the coveted and distinguished Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman’s Award of Honor in recognition “...for a remarkable lifetime spent at the careful handling of cows and calves, for their art and proficiency at this work horseback, and in recognition of the wisdom and distinction they acquired in a lifetime devoted to the business of cattle.”
Melvin remained involved in the C Ranch through his grandsons in his later life. His love of the ranching business was very evident in every aspect of his life.
Pall bearers include: Russell Bilbrey, Clay Cravens, Mont Cravens, Paul Fair, Brandon Pace, and Wade Purvis.
Honorary pall bearers include: Mike Barnett, Marion Bilbrey, Poncho Chavez, Bud Cravens, Curtis Dixon, Don Floyd, Tooter Jameson, Bob Matthews, David Pace, Russell Shannon, and Jim White.
Melvin was preceeded in death by his parents, W.B. and Blanche Cotten; three sisters: Lavita Faye Simpson, Dorothy Mae Daugherty, and Mildred Lois Farris. Also, one brother: Ralph Arnold Cotten.
Melvin is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Jean Morrow Cotten; son, Leonard Cotten and wife, Jan, of Midland, Texas; daughter, Candy Massengill and husband, Dennis of Clarendon, Texas; and daughter, Cody Bilbrey and husband, Travis, of Kenna, New Mexico. Grandchildren include: Justin Cotten and wife, Beth, of Dublin, Texas; Tell Cotten and wife, Andi, of Andrews, Texas; Sterling Morris and wife, Tori of Portales, New Mexico; Hannah Bilbrey, Hope Bilbrey, Holly Bilbrey, and Hattie Bilbrey, all of Kenna, New Mexico. Five great grandchildren include: Summer Cotten, Emma Cotten, and Katie Cotten, of Dublin, Texas. Also, Klancy Cotten and Ethan Cotten, of Andrews, Texas.
Also, sister, Helen Morris and husband, Jack, of Odessa; brother, Gayle Cotten and wife, Kay of Hereford, Texas; sister Barbara Finney and husband, Bob of Muleshoe, Texas; brother-in-law, John Farris of Addington, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.
In reflection, looking back over their life, Melvin and Carol say, “The Lord has blessed our path these many years and to Him we give our thanks and gratitude for the love we have shared, and for the love He has bestowed upon us through our faith in Jesus Christ.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice or your church of choice.
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