Memorial Services were held at the Odell United Methodist Church, Odell, Oregon April 1, 2006 with a potluck that followed the 2pm service. Taken from the Hood River News, Hood River, Oregon Obituaries - March 29 Lawson 'Cotton' Sisson Lawson Gaines "Cotton" Sisson passed away March 25, 2006, at his home in Odell, Ore., after a long battle with cancer. He was 86 years old. He was known to all affectionately as "Cotton." Cotton was born on a small farm at Big Sandy, Texas, Dec. 6, 1919, to Thomas J. Sisson and Birdie Kennedy. He was the seventh of 11 children born to the couple. In 1924, his family moved to Littlefield, Texas, where he grew up and attended high school. He later attended the National School in Los Angeles, Calif., to study drafting prior to the outbreak of World War II. He enlisted in the Army at Lubbock, Texas, with his three brothers, and served three years in the European Theater. He would see service at Omaha Beach, Normandy, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), and Northern France, with the 460th AAA Battalion, Battery D. He was awarded five Bronze Stars and one Silver Star. Cotton came to the Hood River Valley in 1947 and was employed by the Oregon Lumber Company for a time and as a logger for Ralph Wonsyld until the late 1960s. He would later be employed by Hanel Lumber Company and retired in 1986. He loved to hunt, fish and play cards, and was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. Cotton is survived by two daughters, Paula Akbar and Kathleen Boyd; two granddaughters, Sheri and Andrea Kiefer; loving companion Mae Justice; a sister, Tommie Sue Sisson Petty; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and his beloved Harry the cat. The family requests that generous donations be given to Hospice of the Gorge in Cotton's name. Cremation service was provided by Neptune Cremation Service. Specific date(s) and time of memorial(s) are pending. The Sisson family wishes to thank Hospice of the Gorge for all it has done on behalf of their beloved father.