James Robert Bedell

Keep an eye on the skies! Jimmy is finished training pigeons; he's training the angels now.

James R. Bedell III passed away August 7, 2024, after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

After graduating from Hoban High School, Jim took time to explore his options. Trying out college, California living, and the Naval Reserves, he finally decided on a job with Campbell's Soup. His work as a travelling salesman had him driving across the country and bringing home Holiday Inn towels, ashtrays, and fly swatters as souvenirs for the kids in the family and stocking up on free hotel toiletries. If it was complimentary he brought it home. He eventually changed industries and went to work with his father at Graphic Arts Rubber. After Graphic Arts was sold to a larger company, Jim and his brother Steve started Bedell-Kraus Flexographic which he ran successfully until retirement.

In his early teens, Jim's uncle got him started raising homing pigeons which he would train and race. A hobby he excelled at and enjoyed throughout his life. Jim went on to win countless trophies and raised award winning birds that were highly prized by the homing pigeon community and brought record prices at auction in addition to serving as president of his local pigeon racing groups.

For several years Jim lived around the corner from his daughter and her family, which allowed him to develop a very close relationship with his 4 grandchildren. Christened Papa Beep by his oldest grandson, Jim attended all their sporting events and for years was in charge of getting everyone on the school bus, ideally in their school clothes rather than their pajamas. It wasn't long before everyone knew that if Beep walked over to his daughter's house, it meant he had the lawnmower stuck in the pond-again!

Always kind, and generous, and quick to laugh, he wouldn't get on a plane to save his life, but he would drive across the country if you needed him to. A much loved member of his family, Jim made his house available for holidays, fishing derbies, and Easter Egg coloring. Questionable time management skills and a keen sense of smell ensured Jim always arrived at a cookout just when the hot dogs were ready.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Bette and his sister Sue Archer (Jim).

He is survived by his daughter Bridget, son in law Michael, grandchildren Austin, Mason, Cole and Faith, great grandchildren Holden and Henry, sisters Libby Kraus, Mary Hatfield (John), Joellen Hoffman (Glen), brother Steve (Susie), first wife Pat Lewis Bedell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim also has family in Mt. Pleasant SC and a sister in law and nieces in Georgia

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.al.org.

A celebration of life for friends and family will be held Friday September 13, 2024 from 5-7pm at the United Steelworkers Local 2L, 501 Kelley Ave, Akron OH 44306. If like Jim you save hotel toiletries and have more than you can use, bring them to the celebration of life. We'll collecting them for donation to local homeless.

Soar high Beep, we miss and love you.