Ken Whitecotton may have actually been born telling tall tales. Kenneth Wayne Whitecotton, 77, of Tucson, Arizona, died on April 18, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.

He was born in Oak Creek, Colorado, on October 28, 1948, to Wayne and Marilyn Whitecotton (both deceased), who operated a cattle ranch outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The winters were so tough that he was very excited to move to Tucson, Arizona, later in life so he didn’t ever have to shovel snow again. He briefly attended Colorado State University before volunteering for the US Army and serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971 as a Scout Dog Handler.

He met his wife, Kristina (Tina) when they both worked together at the Steamboat Springs Police Department. Ken moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tina soon followed. They ended up working at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon one summer, then later moved to Tucson, Arizona. They loved Tucson and the desert southwest and never left. They were married in Tucson on May 20, 1981.

Ken is survived by the two children from his first marriage, Kendra Mary Whitecotton and Shawneen Kay Wildman. He has four granddaughters from Kendra: Keiann Dollia Alsaggaf (28), Keiara Dollal Alsaggaf (26), Kennan Daliyah Alsaggaf (22) and Kealyn Dalenna Alsaggaf (21). They were the lights of his life.

He is also survived by his two brothers, Wes Whitecotton of Severance, Colorado, and Terry Whitecotton of Craig, Colorado.

He worked in law enforcement for most of his working career, spending 5 years working in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, as a law enforcement officer and 21 years as a dispatcher for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, retiring in April of 2001.

Ken was passionate about helping veterans and volunteered at VFW Post 549, holding the positions of Chaplain and Post Commander as well as doing work with Buddy Poppies and generally helping out as much as possible. He and his brother-in-law, Tony Fennell, started a 501(c)3 charity for veterans, VFW Post 549 Charities.

He also enjoyed hunting and fishing for recreation. He was fond of writing poetry and later in life published two books of Cowboy Poetry (“Tall Tails from the Lazy O” and “. . . As Twisted as Bob-Wire”).

Ken will always be remembered for his dedication to serving veterans and his selflessness. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all.

CROSSIN' THE BRIDGE

A very old cowpoke

Saddled his hoss one day.

Rode into the mountains;

'Twas there he planned ta stay.

He knew his time was short

His cowboyin' days were gone,

But he just had to see

One more mountain mornin dawn

He cleared out a small camp spot

An' built a little fire.

He fixed beans an' bacon,

Then lay down ta retire.

His head on his saddle;

Cisco hobbled nearby,

He stretched himself out

An' gazed at Heaven's Sky.

Sleep soon overtook him

Lyin' on that hard groun'

He drifted into a dream

'Bout an ol' cowboy town.

Then he was awakened

By that chatty ol' jay,

Perched in that pinon pine,

'Nouncing the break o' day.

He rose an' stirred his fire,

An' in a rusty can

Made a cup o' coffee,

The last fer that ol' man.

He saddled up Cisco,

Rode up that yonder ridge

An' as the sun came up

Alone, he crossed that bridge.

He had jist left this earth

'Xactly as he had planned

A lonesome ol' puncher

Who loves this western land.

I went out at that ridge

An' at his grave today

Knelt with tears in my eyes

An' bowed me head ta pray.

My dear lord, bless this man,

An' all his simple fame.

Give me and my children

Lives 'exactly the same.

                                                   - Ken Whitecotton, c. 2006