Jimmy Lee Ledford

Jimmy Lee Ledford died September 28, 2023. Jimmy was born February 7, 1940, in Walters, OK, the second of seven children to Ernest and Jewell Ledford.

When Jimmy was 19 years old, he met Joetta Montgomery. The story he always told was the first time he saw her, he told his friends that he was going to marry her, and he came through on that proclamation.

Jimmy and Joetta were married on July 19, 1959, and proceeded to have three children, Rhonda, Tracie, and Dayne. Jimmy always worked hard to provide for his family. After numerous moves around the Comanche area, Jimmy settled his family in Corum, OK in 1977. Jimmy worked tirelessly to take care of his family and farm. His work ethic would become something that he was well respected for by his family and friends.

In 1981, after the birth of his first grandchild, Jimmy proudly assumed the moniker, Papa Jim. He spent his life as a servant to the Lord, his wife, and his family and he always understood the importance of these priorities.

Jimmy was a strong believer of taking care of what you have. It was constantly on display as at times he and Joetta did not have much, but what they did have was always meticulously cared for. This quality was also true for his personal relationships with family and friends. Most people who knew him will never forget how much he invested himself in their lives, and how important their relationship with him was.

Jimmy had numerous hobbies and he would always say, “I don’t know how I ever had time to hold down a job.” Nonetheless when the work was done, he loved fishing, coon hunting, taking care of his cattle, listening to country music, and making music with his family. He appreciated anything with wheels and was always happy taking care of him and Joetta’s vehicles. He enjoyed watching the tractor auctions, Gunsmoke, and murder mysteries. He loved going to town with his brother Andy. He was not much for sitting idle so when there wasn’t much else to do, he was known just to get in his pickup, and drive around the section to see if anything had changed.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Jewell Ledford, brothers Roger and Junior Ledford, and most recently, the love of his life, Joetta Ledford. He is survived by brothers, Andy and Gary Ledford, and their wives Billie and Carol; sisters Sue Brown, Brenda Gordon and her husband James; daughters Rhonda Ralls, Tracie Craven and her husband Chris; son Dayne Ledford; grandchildren Jarrod and Chad Ralls, Courtni Cornell and husband Glenn, Kayla Guerra and husband Erik, Melissa Townsend, and Breanna Ledford; great-grandchildren Allie Ledford, Hadley Townsend, Leighton Cornell, Bishop Pelkey, Alexi Ralls, Zeke Townsend, Cason Cornell, Ivey and Rhonin Guerra; brother-in-law David Montgomery; sisters-in-law Ruth Ellen Thompson, Donna Holanda, Becky Walker, Robin Loewen; numerous nieces and nephews, and lifelong family friend, Doris Shelby.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Craven, Jarrod Ralls, Chad Ralls, Glenn Cornell, Erik Guerra, and David Montgomery. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Ledford, Gary Ledford, Wayne Barbe, Kenny Brooks, Bud Fye, Colt Ferrell, Jimmy Cox, Billy Wright, Jimmy Weldon, Eric Martin, and James Gordon.

Celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday October 3, at Patterson Avenue Baptist Church in Comanche, OK, with Bruce Humphries officiating. Viewing for family and friends will be Monday October 2, from 6-8 PM at the Comanche Funeral Home.