Leon "Cotton" Bedford passed away Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, in Fort Smith. He was born in Delaware, Okla., Oct. 31, 1919, to Bert and Mabel Bedford. It was at school that he was first called "Cotton," and he has been called "Cotton" ever since. He was a World War II veteran. At 18, he married Gladys Bernadine and they lived on a farm near Bristow, Okla., for the next several years. In 1945, he joined the Army and drove a jeep at Fort Riley, Kan., until his discharge in 1946. The next few years, they moved between Oklahoma and California several times, raising turkeys and cattle ranching. He and his brothers leased 40,000 acres on Fort Chaffee. They bought acreage near Danville and leased land at Bragg. Together they raised 2,000 head at Fort Chaffee, 1,000 head in Danville and 1,500 head at Bragg. His wife died in May 1972 and he married Tressie Card in December 1972. His wife, Tressie, worked at Sparks. Cotton and Tressie bought and sold two motels in Midland, Texas, and a chicken ranch in Arkansas before retiring to Lavaca. Tressie died three years ago. He joined Willow Brook family in September 2009. His hobby was the rodeo. He began roping calves when young and roped calves all over Oklahoma and California. At age 18, he won his first championship in Stillwater, Okla. His life has been the rugged, hardworking life of Oklahoma natives, born to live on the basics of the land: cattle and oil. He was preceded in death by his wives, Bernadine and Tressie; one son Vaughn Bedford; and two brothers, George and Dean Bedford. Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bloomer Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Goodrum officiating. Interment will be at Mayberry Cemetery in Central City under the direction of Smith Mortuary in Charleston. Survivors are three sons, Larry Bedford (Cheryl) of Fresno, Calif., Bert Bedford (Sadie) of Garland, Texas and Brad Bedford (Trish) of Groveland, Calif.; two sisters, Bettye Kellogg and Dorothy Gardner (Bob) of Colterville, Calif.; one brother, Don Bedford (Jean) of Roland; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends. The family will visit with friends today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.