Vannatta, Leslie “Les”

Leslie L. “Les” Vannatta, 70, of Clovis died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004, at his home.

He was born on Nov. 11, 1933, in Oakwood, Texas, to Leslie Edward and Myrtle Johnson Vannatta.

He married Carrie “Beth” Jones on Aug. 12, 1959, in Oakwood.

He worked as a teacher and a high school football coach in Oakwood, then as a juvenile probation officer for four years in Houston. He went to the FBI Academy in 1964 and became a special agent working in Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Monterey, Calif., Farmington and Clovis, retiring in 1987. Family members said he was an avid golfer who enjoyed fishing, playing cards with his wife and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jo Beth Vannatta of Phoenix; two sons, Tom Vannatta (and wife, Patti) of Phoenix and Charles Vannatta (Kay) of Clovis; a brother, Mac E. Vannatta of Oakwood, Texas; a nephew, Michael Vannatta of Houston; a special cousin, Joya Lipsey of Oakwood; and four grandchildren, Bryan, Lexi, Leslie Joe and Shelby Vannatta.

Wayne Baker will officiate the services in Clovis.

Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Harrington, Tommy Townsend, D. Bailey, Bryan Vannatta, Lee McKinney, Ernie Paro, Doug Drake, Steve Yen, Al Barr, Leon Blakeney, Don Weatherman, Bill Rives, Granny Long, Jimmy Williams, Steve Brown, Bill Prince and Lewis Yarborough.

A service will be held at 10 a.m. (CST) Monday at the First Christian Church in Oakwood.

The Rev. Doug Stevens will officiate the services in Oakwood.

Burial will be at Oakwood City Cemetery in Oakwood.

Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.