Ken Bedsole
Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & CremationsViewed: 2585
Posted by: Holman Mortuaries
holmanmortuaries.com
334-585-5261
Date: Mar 11 2022 2:06 PM
Michael Kenny Bedsole, a resident of Abbeville, AL, age 79, passed away March 4, 2022, after a month’s illness. He was born April 21, 1942, in Dothan, Alabama to the late Annie Ruth and Embree “Cotton” Bedsole of Abbeville, AL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Kenneth Bedsole; son-in-law Grady L. Gunnells III; brother-in-law Dave Gardner; sisters-in-law Patricia Clenney Brown and Ella Bedsole.
Growing up in Abbeville, Ken was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and was very active in the Boy Scouts, becoming one of Henry County’s first Eagle Scouts. He was a lifelong member of the Abbeville Methodist Church and later served on the Official Board. He played football for the AHS Yellow Jackets and graduated from Abbeville High School in 1960. While a student at The University of Alabama, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country during the Vietnam War Era. Ken was based primarily in the Far East and at Camp Pendleton, CA. While on leave one day in Japan, he climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji. After his tour of duty, he returned to The University of Alabama, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Ken married Mary Elizabeth (Maribeth) Clenney in 1964, and they had two children, Ben and Courtney.
After graduating from college, he moved to Birmingham, AL and later to Memphis, TN where he worked in finance and banking. He moved back home in the early 1970s to found and serve as the first president of Henry County First Federal Savings and Loan Association. Later, he was a licensed builder/contractor, as well as a licensed realtor, and licensed stock broker. Ken served in many civic and other organizations such as President of the Jaycees, a Scoutmaster for a local BSA Troop, member of the Kiwanis Club, a charter member of the Marine Corps League of the Wiregrass, and member of the UA Alumni Association. He also interviewed local veterans and wrote a column in the Abbeville Herald about their lives. Ken was very patriotic and felt that Veterans of Henry County should be honored. He designed, and with the help of others raised funds, and donated his services as a contractor to create the Henry County Veterans’ Memorial Park in Abbeville, AL, which was dedicated in May 2010.
A voracious reader, Ken loved history and traveling and was proud to have visited all 50 of our United States and numerous different countries. From hiking on the Appalachian Trail to finding himself on the beaches of Normandy, France, he also drove his family on road trips of a lifetime. Ken could be found other times cheering loudly for the Crimson Tide and camping or walking outdoors. His grandchildren will cherish memories of his laughter, playing “monster," hide-n-seek, card games, dominos and chess, eating orange peanut butter crackers, being taken to the playground, swimming at Blue Springs, history lessons, driving lessons, and going to the store to get as many snacks as they wanted. His daughter will miss their late-night talks of genealogy, religion, history and life and also being able to go to her dad with any problem knowing he could help her solve it.
Ken is survived by his wife Maribeth (Beth) Clenney Bedsole; daughter Courtney Bedsole Gunnells of Chelsea, AL; grandchildren Carter, Embree, and Anna Cate Gunnells, AnnaBeth and Benjamin Bedsole; daughter-in-law Angi Bedsole of Woodstock, GA; brother Charles Bedsole of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law Cathy Clenney Gardner, Northport, AL; nephews Chuck Bedsole (Tracy), Dallas, TX; and Joe Bedsole (Jeff Sikes), Spicewood, TX; John Bedsole (Susan), Corinth, TX; Grant McKinnon, San Francisco, CA; niece Sara Holland (Philip) of Lake Dallas, TX; numerous cousins including Ivy Marie Wallace (Gene) of Hoover, AL, and Ginger Alexander (Bubba) of Fortson, GA; and godson Scott Capehart (Lt. Col. U.S. Army, Ret.) (Shannon), Enterprise, AL; great nephew Bobby Bedsole (Crystal), Dallas, TX; and great niece Ashley Rabb (Carson), of San Antonio, TX.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Kirby Bland, Robert Edward Phillips, Judge Charles Woodham, Dr. Mike Helms, Jack Reynolds, Dr. Larry McLean, and Dr. Lindsey Roberts.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, March 20th in the Abbeville United Methodist Church with Pastor Randy Greene officiating. The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Henry County Veterans’ Memorial Park, P.O. Box 115, Shorterville, AL 36373, or to one’s favorite charity.
HOLMAN ABBEVILLE MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
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