STUART BEDELL

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  • STUART BEDELL
    STUART BEDELL
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Stuart Wayne Bedell of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away on January 2, 2021, in his home with loved ones and his best dog Molly by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eual Hudson and Jeanne Stuart Bedell; his sister, Pamela Bedell Paul; and his two favorite aunts, Beulah Bedell and Joanna Bedell Cole.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Pate Bedell; his amazing children, Laura Bedell, Stuart Hudson Bedell (Lauren), Andrew Kappmeyer (Christine), Keith Kappmeyer (Audra), Scott Bedell (Kristen); his beautiful grandchildren, Kate, Lauren, Callen, Brady, Carter and Ella; and his favorite nieces and nephews, Stuart Paul (Brenda), Jennifer King (Rich), Andrew Paul (Linda) and Lucy Geris. Travis (Dylan) and Trevor Pate were like his kids too.

If you could summarize his life in a few words, it would be that he lived his life the way he wanted to.

Born in NYC in 1931, he later joined the Army and was trained to jump out of planes during the Korean War, but as the story goes, “we had someone important in our unit and the night before we shipped out, the plans changed, and we were sent to postwar Germany to work in the motor pool”. Although he grew up tinkering on things with his Father and figuring out how they worked, that time in Germany helped him throughout his life where he restored antique clocks and other relics and created many new things in his multiple workshops. He could fix almost anything. His workshops were also hubs for old and new friends, no matter their age. Many of his kid’s friends became his friends and as time passed and these friends grew older, he was always happy to see them.

After graduating from NC State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he spent time in the South Pacific (Kwajalein)working for Western Electric. With the birth of his first child, he transferred to New Mexico and worked at White Sands Missile Range. He then moved to South Texas and Ford Aerospace where he worked during the Apollo Missions. His final move was to Intermedics where he very happily worked until he retired in 1999.

Among his many hobbies throughout his life, he also enjoyed catamaraning (including on home-built catamarans), scuba-diving and snorkeling, cowboy polo, riding horses, motorcycle riding, off-roading, guitar playing and singing songs.

Later in life, he bought a Harley and started taking long rides throughout the country. He loved that bike and took many a journey with friends and family until one day, the pavement helped him decide he shouldn’t ride that bike anymore. He restored a train depot in Brenham and purchased a small “ranch” back in the 1970s in Chriesman. Between the numerous windmills he rebuilt (mostly they were there for fun), the tractors and equipment he loved working on and the herd of donkeys who allowed him and Linda to visit, this was his most favorite place on earth.

Per his request, there will be no formal services. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be released at his very beloved ranch sometime in the future. In memory of Stu, please consider donating to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue--www.donkeyrescue.org.