Dr. David Mahlon Bedell, 80. of Tifton passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2005, at the First Baptist Church of Tifton with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Dr. Ches Smith officiating. Dr. Bedelle was laid to rest at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2055, at Andersonville National Cemetery.
George Ponder, Charlie Drexler, Billy Selph, Bobby Miles, Bill Johnson, Morris Davis, Ernest Land and Mike Bland served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers with the members of the Tifton Rotary Club, members of the Tift County Rotary Club, members of the Board of Deacons of Tifton's First Baptist Church and members of the New Men's Sunday School Class at Tifton's First Baptist Church.
Born December 26, 1942, in Ridgeland, South Carolina, Dr. Bedell was the son of the late Benjamin D. Bedell and Ola Baker Bedell. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda Ann Bedell. He was a retired veterinary specialist with the University of Georgia Extension Service. and he was a deacon and active member of the New Men's Sunday School Class at Tifton's First Baptist Church, having served as Adult I Sunday School Department Director for many years. Dr. Bedell served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1942 to 1966 in World War II and in the Korean Conflict, retiring from the Naval Reserves as Lieutenant Senior Grade. He joined the United States Air Force Reserves in 1966 and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1984. Dr. Bedell graduated with a B.S. degree from Clemson University, Doctor of Veterinary Degree from Auburn University, an M.D. degree from Louisiana State University and did post-doctoral studies at Oklahoma State University.
Dr. Bedell was active in many areas of medical and health services, having served as chairman of the Tift County Board of Health from 1979 to present and the Georgia Health Decisions Board of Trustees. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Georgia Health Strategies Council in 2002. He was a member of the Tifton Rotary Club since 1974, having served as club president, District 6920 district governor and a permanent member of the Tifton Rotary Club's Board of Directors.
For many years, Dr. Bedell was an active volunteer for the Georgia Agrirama and was the chief financial officer of the Georgia Agrirama Foundation Board. He was a member of the ABAC President's Club, the Tifton Arts Council, formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage and was the secretary/treasurer of the Tift County Residential Housing Corporation.
Dr. Bedell loved the Lord and served the community in many capacities. He loved his family and his church. In addition, he was an avid birdwatcher.
Dr. Bedell is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlotte Ware Bedell of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Benjamin David II and Nancy Bedell of Bogart; two grandsons, David Mahlon Bedell II and Charles Richard Bedell, both of Bogart; one brother, Richard Bedell of Ridgeland, South Carolina; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sarah and Nevin Biser of Lexington, South Carolina and Ann and Warren Steverson of Charlotte, North Carolina; and ten nieces.
Memorial gifts may be made to Tifton's First Baptist Church, 404 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794; ABAC Foundation at www.foundation.abac.edu; the Tifton Arts and Heritage Museum, 255 Love Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794; the Agrirama Foundation at www.gma.abac.edu; or the Boy Scouts of America at www.scouting.org.