James I. "Sonny" Ledbetter, 82, of Edna, died at 2:20 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

He was born June 5, 1929 at rural Vinita Oklahoma to Irvy C. and Aimee (White) Ledbetter. He grew up on Big Creek, Oklahoma south of Edna, KS. He attended country schools and joined the US Army in March of 1951. Following his discharge in February of 1953, he returned to Edna where he graduated from Edna High School in 1956. Following graduation he worked at the Continental Can Company in Coffeyville for a short time. He then attended the Stromberg-Carlson Dial School in New York. Then he began his career as a telephone service technician and worked for the Edna Telephone Company which later became part of Craw-Kan Telephone Co-op and retired in 1976. He enjoyed gardening and was well known for his tomatoes. He also enjoyed fishing and he played and coached baseball. He helped build the Edna City Baseball Park. He also enjoyed playing the guitar.

He was a member of the Edna United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the VFW both in Coffeyville. He was a member of the Edna Masonic Lodge # 345. He and Dorothy F. Foister were married 0n November 9, 1951 at Bentonville, Arkansas. She survives of the home; He is also survived by two daughters, Susan Melton and her husband Larry of Edna, Alice Duncan and her husband Will of rural Coffeyville; Four Grandchildren, James Melton and wife Tammy, Eric Melton and wife Dawn, Andrew Duncan and Wife Alexis and Jesse Duncan; Five Great-grandchildren, Alyssa Melton, Victoria Melton, Michael Fawcett, Alyssa Fawcett and Benjamin Duncan; One Step Grandson, Joshua Duncan and wife Jennifer; Six Step Great Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and one grandson Douglas Melton who passed away in 2007.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 12, 2011, at the Edna United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Edna Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Edna United Methodist Church. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.