Joe Clayton Bedell

Clayton prided himself in being a west Texan. He was born a west Texan, grew up a west Texan and died a west Texan and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Clayton Bedell, 66, of Alpine, Texas, died suddenly at home of a suspected aortic aneurysm rupture on August 10, 2024. We know that he was met at Heaven’s gate by his beloved son, Patrick Bedell.

Joe Clayton Bedell was born in Marfa to Sam and Fredda Bedell on January 10, 1958. His father was a ranch foreman so he had the joy of growing up on the Henderson, the Chillicothe, the Ryan, the Dipper and the Hippo ranches. He attended school in Valentine and later, in Marfa. He graduated from Sul Ross State University and worked at the Ft. Davis National Historic site. He later became a state probation officer in Weatherford, Texas and then a U.S. Federal Probation officer in Grand Junction, Colorado. He started his own successful business as a commercial weed sprayer for the oil and gas companies in western Colorado and eastern Utah. He did guided elk hunts while in Colorado with his set of pack mules and canvas tents complete with wood burning stoves. He once told a realtor, “I’m looking for a place where I can’t see any rooftops”.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Fredda, his brother Danny Bedell, his sister Sharon Bedell Harral and his son Patrick Bedell. He is survived by his wife, Kim Russell Bedell, granddaughter Jessica Bedell Neal (Daniel) of Kansas City, MO, grandsons Matthew and Jacob Bedell of Tulsa, OK, nieces Kimberly Harral Wilson (Matt) of San Antonio and Lana Bedell Richardson (Sam) of Brownwood, nephews Sam Adam Bedell (Eren) of Lubbock, Cody Harral (Crystal) of Canyon Lake, Colter Bedell (Taryn) of Seminole, stepdaughter Hannah McKinney of Palisade, CO, sister in law Kaprece Bedell of Snyder and cousin Lou Brown Tanner (Wayne) of Odessa, plus many great nieces and nephews and numerous friends. Clayton loved the family reunions that we recently started having and enjoyed teaching the younger ones about cooking. He had just moved back home to west Texas for retirement so that he could be around his family and his friends. He will be missed by so many that loved his wit, his humor and his beautiful smile. He had the nak of adding laughter to almost any awkward situation. 

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 31st at 12:00 PM, followed by his Celebration of Life BBQ at his barn/shop at 107 Wild Cherry Rd in Alpine, Texas.