James A. Bedwell's Obituary
James Ashton Bedwell, Jr., 83, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on September 9, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at home. He was born October 23, 1930 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, James A. Bedwell Sr. and Louise Miller Bedwell, as well as by his beloved cousin, Mary Louise Steuterman Driscoll. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Kay, and three children, James Ashton Bedwell III, Kathleen Burke Bedwell, and Carl John Bedwell, as well as two grandsons, Ashton Ellis Bedwell, and Hunter James Bedwell. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Sr. Mary Jane Simmons HM., two brothers-in-law, Carl Simmons (Peg) and Jim Simmons (Linda), and an extended family in Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio. He grew up in the Mississippi Delta and graduated from Mississippi State University with a BA in Business Administration and as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Shortly after graduating college, he served in the United States Air Force as an officer during the Korean War. After the Air Force, he began in sales and rose to vice-president and general manager of WHBQ/RKO radio. He then left to return to sales, his true passion. He was co-owner of Bedson Corporation, a manufacturer’s sales rep in the air control industry. His company won many awards for outstanding sales efforts, and his knowledge in the field was exceptional. Jim was an avid golfer. He enjoyed watching sports, especially college football, and was a big Mississippi State Bulldog supporter. He was a devout attendee of St. Louis Catholic Church and read as a lector for many years. He also coached baseball and volunteered for many various school, church and civic functions. He was a member of the Exchange Club and the Phoenix Club. As a devoted husband and father, he provided a wonderful life for his family, and as a good Christian man, loved life and helping others. The family will received friends on Tuesday, September 16 from 5-7 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be at 1:30 pm on Wednesday September 17 at St. Louis Catholic Church. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, Birthright of Memphis, or Monastery of St. Clare.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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