59
James Arthur Bedsole October 29, 1941 – June 9, 2019 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Now James is in the presence of God Almighty to finish the above scripture. He has received his crown of righteousness. Greeting him there were his parents, Ted and Jean Schroeder Bedsole, his beloved grandmother, Ida Schroeder Barkley, grandfather, Arthur Charles Schroeder, and grandparents, Grover and Caroline Bedsole.
James was born in Thomaston, AL to Ted and Jean Schroeder Bedsole and moved to Birmingham at the age of two. He was an Auburn Civil Engineer graduate and was the spring of 1965 Outstanding Engineering Graduate. While at Auburn, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Chi Epsilon, and Phi Kappa Phi. He retired from TVA after thirty-three years of service. He loved the Lord and served Him as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and director, Royal Ambassador counselor and director, and forty seven years as a counselor at the Royal Ambassador summer camp where he was known as the “snake man”. He shared the love of Jesus through mission trips locally and in many states and countries. He was on the Board of Directors for the Old Railroad Bridge for more than twenty years and worked tirelessly for its preservation. He spear headed the Gerald Williams Garden Program through Community Action and TVA Retirees Association. His service to others was always a part of his life. He had a true servant’s heart.
James is survived by his wife Judy, children Charles and Robin Bedsole, Marion, AR; Ellen and Derral Watson, Hatton, AL; and Jonathan and Keri Bedsole of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Rachel Bedsole, Jonesboro, AR; Jacob and Morgan Bedsole, Jonesboro, AR; Taft Watson, Hatton, AL; and Kameron and Colin Bedsole of Knoxville, TN; brothers Bill Bedsole, Sheffield, and Jerry Bedsole, Foley, AL.
Visitation will be at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia Wednesday, June 12, 2019 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Tuscumbia and will be led by his son Charles, grandson Jacob, Bill Bedsole, Charles Edwards, and Barrett Long. Burial will follow in Sheffield Oakwood Cemetery led by Chad Holder. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Boyd, Tom Teague, John Adams, Lewis Patterson, Barry Wright, Cameron Kay, Board of Directors of ORBC, and the Men’s Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church Tuscumbia.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to First Baptist Church Tuscumbia Missions, Colbert Lauderdale Baptist Association Missions, ORBC, P.O. Box 727, Florence, AL 35631, or charity of your choice.
James Arthur Bedsole October 29, 1941 – June 9, 2019 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Now James is in the presence of God Almighty to finish the above scripture. He has received his crown of righteousness. Greeting him there were his parents, Ted and Jean Schroeder Bedsole, his beloved grandmother, Ida Schroeder Barkley, grandfather, Arthur Charles Schroeder, and grandparents, Grover and Caroline Bedsole.James was born in Thomaston, AL to Ted and Jean Schroeder Bedsole and moved to Birmingham at the age of two. He was an Auburn Civil Engineer graduate and was the spring of 1965 Outstanding Engineering Graduate. While at Auburn, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Chi Epsilon, and Phi Kappa Phi. He retired from TVA after thirty-three years of service. He loved the Lord and served Him as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and director, Royal Ambassador counselor and director, and forty seven years as a counselor at the Royal Ambassador summer camp where he was known as the “snake man”. He shared the love of Jesus through mission trips locally and in many states and countries. He was on the Board of Directors for the Old Railroad Bridge for more than twenty years and worked tirelessly for its preservation. He spear headed the Gerald Williams Garden Program through Community Action and TVA Retirees Association. His service to others was always a part of his life. He had a true servant’s heart.
James is survived by his wife Judy, children Charles and Robin Bedsole, Marion, AR; Ellen and Derral Watson, Hatton, AL; and Jonathan and Keri Bedsole of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Rachel Bedsole, Jonesboro, AR; Jacob and Morgan Bedsole, Jonesboro, AR; Taft Watson, Hatton, AL; and Kameron and Colin Bedsole of Knoxville, TN; brothers Bill Bedsole, Sheffield, and Jerry Bedsole, Foley, AL.
Visitation will be at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia Wednesday, June 12, 2019 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Tuscumbia and will be led by his son Charles, grandson Jacob, Bill Bedsole, Charles Edwards, and Barrett Long. Burial will follow in Sheffield Oakwood Cemetery led by Chad Holder. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Boyd, Tom Teague, John Adams, Lewis Patterson, Barry Wright, Cameron Kay, Board of Directors of ORBC, and the Men’s Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church Tuscumbia.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to First Baptist Church Tuscumbia Missions, Colbert Lauderdale Baptist Association Missions, ORBC, P.O. Box 727, Florence, AL 35631, or charity of your choice.
