"We had the pleasure of meeting him in London and he was a wonderful gentleman who inspired everyone he met with his stories and generosity. Simon & Lucy Hawes"
In loving memory of
James "Jimmy" Bedford
January 30, 1940 - August 7, 2009
James "Jimmy" Bedford, age 69 of Lynchburg, died on August 7, 2009, at Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma. He was born January 30, 1940 in Winchester; the son of the late James S. and Wilma Limbaugh Bedford. He retired as a master distiller for Jack Daniels Distillery. He served as a Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and was a member of Lynchburg Methodist Church. Survivors are his wife, Emily Gregory Bedford; daughter, Alice (Edsel) Pleming of Norfolk, VA; brother, Bill (Sandra) Bedford of Lynchburg, TN; sister, Sue (Carlton) Galbreath of Cookville, TN.; grandson, Wyatt Bedford Pleming of Norfolk, VA; nieces and nephews include Melissa (Scott) Wright, Phillip (Beth) Bennett, Myron Bennett, Susan (Clark) Simpson, Michelle (Monte) Gaw, James William (Holly) Bedford, LeEllen (Chad) Carter and a world of family and friends. Active pallbearers are James William Bedford, Myron Bennett, Phillip Bennett, Chad Carter, Monte Gaw, Clark Simpson and Scott Wright. Honorary pallbearers, Logan Carter, Matthew Gaw, Max Bennett, Eli Bennett, Adam Simpson and Molly Jo Simpson. Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Monday at Jennings Moore-Cortner Chapel, Rev. Bill Mulroy and Rev. Allen Black officiating. Interment will be in Lynchburg Cemetery, Lynchburg, TN. Visitation is 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2009, at Jennings Moore-Cortner Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 9:00 PM in the Tennessee Room at the Jack Daniel Distillery Visitors Center. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lynchburg or the Jimmy Bedford Scholarship Fund at Farmers Bank or Moore County Bank, both in Lynchburg. On-line condolences may be sent to www.moorecortner.com.
Tributes
"Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, know that you are very close in our every thought and prayer."
"to the family of jimmy bedford, we send our condolences, a good man truly missed. J.B (r.i.p)"
"Only meet him once, he was a very genorous man."
"It is with great sorry that I send this message to you. Jimmy was a great and dear friend of ours. We had known him for many years (I all my life). He will be sadly missed by all in Lynchburg as well as around the world where he promoted Jack Daniels. The family has our deepest sympathy. I pray God's blessing on all of you."
"Dear Miss Emily, Alice, Edsel, and Wyatt, I am so sorry for your loss. It is so sad and so hard to imagine. Mr. Jimmy was "larger than life", and I am so grateful to have known him. I do know how you feel having been through it. Time will help to ease the pain and sadness some. I am here for you for whatever you might need. You are in my thoughts constantly. Love, Janice"
"Quite simply, a great guy who will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace Jimmy."
"Jimmy you were & will always be remembered as a great man & true gentleman, it was a honour to meet you. Thank you for sharing you time. Rest in peace"
"I met Jimmy in Kennesaw GA and was first in line for an autograph session, his flight had been late and he was rushed in, it was extremley hot and I wouldn't let anyone bother him until the store had gotten him some ice water, he was the nicest person, just relaxed and stood there and ask all about me and my husband Gary who happens to be a Squire of plot # f63327! Our condolences to his family to include the Jack Daniels family. May God Bless, love and peace always, Gary and Katherine White"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time."
"Dearest Alice and family, I have just learned of your Dad's passing and am so very sorry. I know the pain of your loss and am praying for you and thinking of you. My very deepest sympathies to you and yours. Much love, Meg"
"I got to know Jimmy a few years ago when I got to haul grain to the distillery from my farm here in Illinois. Met Jimmy and he gave my son a white hat from Jack Daniels, my son still has the hat and Jimmy will always be remembered by my family. He always asked about him and how the farm was doing, a true friend. He will be missed Dale Melton"
"It was a pleasure to know Jimmy. He was a great friend and will truly be missed."
"Rest in Peace Jimmy."
"Alice and Family I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words to take the pain away. Just remember what a wonderful man he was and alway will be. I am so greatful to have met such a wonderful man. Alice I treaure you as my family and friend. Love you Mary Ellen,Bill,Julia and Max"
"We are so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was a very special person. He always had time to stop and chat a bit with you. You just don't find people like that in the hustle and bustle of this day and age. We always loved hearing stories by him and Frank at the cookouts he came to. He will be missed, but always remembered. Jimmy and Jen"
"My sympathies to the Bedford family as well as the Jack Daniels family on the loss of a great man."
"We are very sorry for what your family is going through We only knew Mr.Jimmy Bedford for a short time My husband and I Will do what we can to help if you all need anything You all are in our thoughts and prayers we are just finding out about what has happen and we are very sorry we could not attend the viewing or the funeral it was too late by the time we found out We hope the best for you all in the time of need God Bless You"
"Thank you for the many years of friendship Jimmy. You have touched and changed the lives of many. The world has lost a true gentleman. Rest in peace my friend....The Lynchburg trips will never be the same...."
"Our deepest comforting thoughts and condolances to you, Emily, and the Bedford family. The thoughts of better times over the many years we have know each other should be fondly remembered as we will remember them. Tom and Sandra"
"I had the good fortune of knowing Mr. Bedford through DREMC, You and your family are in my prayers."
"Our sincerest condolences to Miss Emily and all of the Bedford family and relatives, known as the face of Jack Daniels for many years, Jimmy will be missed by people from all over the world. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace Jimmy."
"I was able to met Jimmy a few times. He was a true Southern gentleman. He will be missed by many collectors. Condolences to the Bedford family."
"Our deepest sympathy to the Bedford family. We have had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy at some of the bottle signings. He was always so kind and always had a few words to say. May he rest in peace. Blessings Tim and Jackie Parker Nashville, TN"
"I am sorry for your loss."
"So long my friend... Mitch & Gus"
"Our condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Alice and your family. Both Stella and Jimmy loss this year leaves a very empty place at all our tables. God bless and keep all of you."
"Jimmy could always blend with the crowd and still accomodate the Jack Daniel fans that recognized him. A gifted, sincere and likeable gentleman. Best wishes to Emily and Alice."
"Jimmy, I trust God has saved a place for you in that big distillery in the sky. This world and our hearts will be a much lonlier place without your presence. From all of us @ ArtJim Cigars & Quaker Lane Liquors we will miss you, all our love from your friends."
"Emily Sue Our hearts are saddened for your loss and our prayers are with you. May God make you strong. With Love Morris & Glenda"
"Thanks for being our friend we will miss you . On behalf of my family and I ,our hearts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family. May God Bless You."
"R.I.P Jimmy you was a true Southern Gentleman, we will miss you!"
"Our thoughts and prayers to the family. We met Jimmy on several occasions and he always remembered us. He will be truly missed! God Bless your family at this difficult time. John and Tamie Quigley"
"Feel very sorry for the loss of Jimmy Bedfort. Had the priviledge to meet him twice and it felt very good. He was a nice man. My thoughts are with the family. May he rest in peace. Edwin"
"Our hearts share your sorrow, and our sincere prayers are with you.May God strengthen you. With love."
"Our condolences to the Bedford family. A great honour and a pleasure to have met him several times since 2002. A great loss for our Jack Daniels family."
"Jimmy exhibited the best of a southern gentleman with his easy going manner, good humor and most sincere personality. He will be greatly missed by all of his family, friends and acquaintances. Tom Jones"
"a pleasure to have know you.thanks for sharing so much with so many people around the world. rest in peace"
"Miss Emily and family, our sincerest heartfelt thoughts are with you and the rest of your family during this difficult time. Jimmy was a true Southern Gentleman that tough so many lives. He will be sadly missed by all. Gone But Not Forgotten, Rest In Peace Jimmy"
"Our thoughts are with you and your family. A sudden loss is never easy but take comfort in knowing that Jimmy is at peace and he will never be forgotten."
"I send my condolances from the uk, I am so sorry to hear this sad news, I only ever managed to meet jimmy the once, on my very 1st trip to tennessee in october of 2007 & he was a true gentleman. That meeting will be forever in my heart, regards ALWAYS, John collett."
"once meet never forgotten a true gentleman Colin & Lynn"
"For many years Jimmy was the face of Jack Daniels yet he remained humble and down to earth with his family, friends and collectors. He inspired so many with his generosity. He will be sorely missed."
"Miss Emily; My and my wife have many fond memories of the times we met Jimmy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family. With our deepest sympathies Rob, Sara, Holly and Jackie Soncini."
"Our deepest condolences to the Bedford Family. Jimmy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He was always a stand up person and true gentleman whenever we ran into each other over the years."
"Our deepest sympathies to Ms Emily, and the Bedford family. Jimmy was known the world over, and loved by all. He shall be sadly missed, and even more so by those close to him. RIP Jimmy"
"My condolences go out to the entire Bedford family at this difficult time. Another great man who will never be forgotten. RIP Jimmy"
"Dear Jimmy, I was blessed been able to meet you once in 2003, know I'm feeling really sad and lost by your dead, you where such a friendly and warm person, you will always be in my heart as a friend and the friendly southern guy......God bless you my friend. Rudi"
"Our condolences to the Bedford family. He was a great man."
"CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TO A MAN THAT WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN. GOD BLESS"
"We had gotten to know Jimmy and Emily through our collecting of Jack Daniels. It was hard to understand how a man who was known the world over and was loved by many, could be so down to earth. Over the past several years Jimmy and Emily had become dear friends of ours. We will find it difficult to deal with not being able to call, email or come see Jimmy. Our hearts are broken and we will pray for Emily and the rest of his family."
"Jimmy will be sadly missed by many people around the world. The world of Jack Daniels has lost a great man. Sympathy to his wife Emily and his family. Gone but never Forgotten. RIP Jimmy."
"Please accept my very deepest and sincere condolences at your loss. Jimmy was a true Southern Gentleman who will be sorely missed by so many people, all around the world. He was a great friend and inspiration to all of those who knew and meet him over the years."
"Our condolences to the Bedford family."
"The World has lost a great man, a true "Southern Gentleman" who touched the hearts of many people in countries all around the globe. You will be sorely missed yet never forgotten, we all have great memories that will last forever. Rest in peace Jimmy."
"jimmy was a true gentleman who will be missed by thousands all over the world.he always had time to stop and talk with you. R.I.P Jimmy"
"Your quiet words of encouragement since my car accident have helped me transcend from my wheelchair. Thank you for your compassion and goodness. RIP Jimmuy"
"My condolences and prayers to Miss Emily and family. What a great man and friend he was. He will be dearly missed. He was truely a Southern Gentleman. Rest In Peace my friend."
"A TRUE Southern Gentlemen. We will miss him dearly."
"truely a great loss for all who met Jimmy."
"We miss him already. Love you Emily."
"Jimmy had a hard work ethic and was an icon throughout the world. Yet he was a Southern Gentleman to his core. My condolences to the Bedford family and friends of Jimmy."
"I met Jimmy first in the year 2000 and then every year. Such a great gentleman. He helped us overseas collectors so much. I will deeply miss him. Andreas"
"Emily and Family, Words can not express our sympathy at this time of sorrow. You are in our prayers. His time on earth was cut short; but now he is in God's presence. God bless you and your family as you walk through the loss of your loved one. Bob & Ann Baumgartner"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Thanks for the memories Jimmy. Miss Emily, the World mourns with you and your family."
"Jimmy will be missed by many but he'll never be forgotten. R.I.P. Jimmy"
"Jimmy Was A Great Man And Will Be Missed By All Who Knew Him"
"To a great southern gent, his kindness and sharing will be missed."
"Emily and Alice, my sincerest heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with both of you and the rest of your family during this difficult time. Along with thousands of others, I feel very fortunate to have been able to call Jimmy my friend. Warmest personal regards, Jeannie"
"To a friend who will be greatly missed. Emily, our thoughts are with you and your family."
"Blown away by the news of the sudden death of this Southern Gentleman. Our thoughts go out to his family. He will be missed. May he rest in peace. Harald and Irena van Duyn"
"Thanks for the memories. Your hospitality, generosity and true Southern gentleman charm will be greatly missed."
"my thoughts are with you miss emily at this sad sad time! i met Jimmy a few times both over here and at the distillery!! he will be very very muchly missed! he was a true gentleman and would always stop to have a chat and maybe sign a few things!! fond fond memories! R.I.P MR JIMMY BEDFORD"
"My deepest condolences to the Bedford Family. The world will miss him."
"We are sending Emily and the entire Bedford family our thoughts and prayers. We have lost a good friend and a good man. Rest in Peace, Jimmy."
"Mr Jimmy Bedford was a true Southern Gentleman who will be missed the world over. R.I.P Jimmy"
"Jimmy will be sadly missed by many people.Rest in Peace."