Lee Cotten passed from this life on August 19 after a long battle with dementia.  He was 74 years old. Born on April 11, 1942 in Philadelphia to Wallace, Sr. and Judy Cotten,  Lee grew up in Mississippi and Georgia.  He finished high school in Perry, Georgia, and went to the University of Georgia where he graduated with a degree in Journalism.  He also received a Second-Lieutenant's commission in the Air Force and was assigned to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, WY, where he met and married Patty Sue Bond, an Air Force nurse.  They were also stationed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, AK.  After being discharged from the Air Force, they moved to Sacramento, CA, and had two children, Sean and Nicole.  

Lee had various business interests during his life; professional photographer, owner of "Golden Oldies" phonograph record store in Sacramento, and rock and roll historian.  He authored a three-volume series about 50's and 60's rock and roll and wrote several books about Elvis Presley, including one that was commissioned by the Presley Estate and had the signing at Graceland.

Lee moved back to Perry in 2004 and spent the last five years of his life in Colorado Springs. 

Lee is predeceased by his wife, Patty.  Surviving are his daughter, Nicole Ackerman of Colorado Springs, CO; his son, Sean Cotten, (daughter-in-law Karin Ottoson, and two grandchildren, Charlie and Olivia Ottosson Cotten) all of Forshaga, Sweden: a brother, Henry Cotten of Atlanta. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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