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Submitted: 4/20/20 • Approved: 4/21/20 • Last Updated: 6/29/23 • R1311558-G0-S3
May 18, 1919 - May 28, 2013
James Wayne Bethea, Sr., age 88, died November 20, 2019. He was born on March 2, 1931, in Camden, Arkansas to Fred H. and Bessie Henderson Bethea. Wayne grew up in Camden, and graduated from Camden High School, where he won consecutive state track championships and played football under legendary coach Sam Coleman. After high school, he attended Southern State College, until he joined the Air Force at the beginning of the Korean War. He served as an officer in Germany and Libya in signals intelligence. Upon returning home, he met the love of his life, Gale Jacquelene Duncan. They met on the steps of the old post office while checking their mail. They were married for 53 years, and were self-employed business partners for 40 of those years. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, where he served on the administrative board.
Mr. Bethea was preceded in death by his wife Gale, his brothers Fred Jr., Byron, Charles, and Bobby Gene, and by his sister Lucille Westbrook. He is survived by his daughter Phyllis Bethea Burger (Tom) of Camden, and son James Wayne Bethea, Jr. (Kim) of Stuttgart. More than anything, he enjoyed being “Papaw” to his four grandsons, Brock Bethea Burger of Camden, Dr. Barrett James Burger of Little Rock, William Cade Bethea of Little Rock, and Mills Douglas Bethea of Stuttgart.
The family would especially like to express their sincere appreciation to long-time caregivers Onyse Moore and Emma Scott, as well as Dr. Dan Martin and OCMC Hospice.
A celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church, Camden, Arkansas at 1:00 on Friday, November 22nd, followed by afternoon coffee, one of his favorite things. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Camden.
Contributed on 4/20/20 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1311558