Leslie "Les" Arden Bawden

Leslie “Les” Arden Bawden, 85, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on August 8, 2026. He was born April 28, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Forest Arden Bawden and Fidella Macklin Bawden. Les moved to Las Vegas at a young age and spent most of his life there.

Les began working in the commercial glass industry at just 13 years old and made it his lifelong career. Through hard work and determination, he eventually founded Bawden Architectural Glass, which became one of the most successful glass businesses in Las Vegas. He took great pride in what he built, but no matter how hard he worked, his family always came first.

Les and his wife, Barbara, shared 59½ years of marriage. He loved her deeply and treated her like a queen. Together they built a large and loving family that became his greatest source of pride and happiness.

Les was the father of seven children: Lezlie, Kent, Durel, Shawn, Devon, Brett, and Marc. His family grew to include 26 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, whether traveling, fishing, riding motorcycles, celebrating Christmas, or simply being together. His family often says they were just happy being around Dad.

Les was exceptionally generous, not only with what he had, but with his time. He was loving, kind, caring, and forgiving, and his family knew his love was unconditional.

He also loved to laugh and have fun. In his younger years, Les played basketball in high school, and throughout his life he enjoyed bowling and was an excellent ping pong player. He loved to tease people in his good natured way and could laugh at the silliest things. His laugh was contagious, and when Les started laughing, everyone around him usually ended up laughing too.

At the center of Les’s life was his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. He loved the Savior deeply, and his faith could be seen in the way he loved, forgave, served, and cared for others.

Les is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his seven children; 26 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; and a large extended family who loved him dearly. He was one of six children, with brothers Sterling, Barry, and Marvin, and sisters Ardella and Linda.

A funeral service honoring Les’s life will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Palm Mortuary, 7400 W. Cheyenne Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be laid to rest the following day, August 19, in Parowan, Utah.

Les leaves behind a legacy far greater than the successful business he built. It lives on in the family he loved, the faith he lived, the people he helped, and the happiness he brought to those around him. His family will especially miss his kindness, his unconditional love, and that contagious laugh.

A Funeral Service will be held at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129, US, on August 18, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

A Reception will be held at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129, US, on August 18, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.