James Albert Bedenbaugh VESTAVIA HILLS, AL James Albert Bedenbaugh, age 86, of Vestavia Hills, AL passed away on March 26, 2017. James (“Jim” to his friends), born August 24, 1930, was a native of Starkville, MS. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he later graduated from Mississippi State University in 1955 with a major in accounting. He remained a lifelong Mississippi State Bulldog fan and funded a scholarship for agricultural studies in honor of his father, Poston G. Bedenbaugh, who had taught at Mississippi State. James worked for BellSouth for 30 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Methodist congregation and regularly attended Vestavia Hill United Methodist Church up until a few weeks before his death. James’ parents, Poston and Parkie Bedenbaugh, and his sister, Dorothy Ann Bedenbaugh, preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Spencer K. Bedenbaugh of Vestavia Hills, AL; nieces, Ann B. O’Rear of Hoover and Kay Pinsker of Palo Alto, CA; nephew, Eric Bedenbaugh of Jacksonville, FL; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Also important to James were Pat and Marion (“Red”) Hamilton, who gave tireless friendship and support to James in the latter years of his life, and Antoinette Hicks, his caregiver and friend. Visitation with the family will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31 at Welch Funeral Home, Starkville, MS followed by private graveside in Memorial Park Cemetery.