The Reverend Doctor Jonathan Howard Waddell

He is survived by his wife, Lucie Magnus, whom he loved tenderly. Their relationship was one of healing and devotion. The lyric “his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand” from the song “Leader of the Band” by Dan Fogelberg aptly describes Jonathan’s way of being. He lived a life of service, touching thousands of lives as a priest, educator and as a marriage and family therapist. As a clinical pastoral educator with the Baptist Health System and University of Alabama Birmingham, his innovative approach often led to his students uncovering things about themselves that they hadn’t previously known or understood, much to their surprise.

He loved playing golf, fishing, working in the yard at his beloved lake home and a nice glass of Scotch. He will be remembered for his sparkling eyes, loving smile, wicked sense of humor, deep soul, kindness, generosity and, above all, his acceptance of people as they were. He had a keen intellect, a love of learning and he cherished his solitude. He was a towering man with a gentle shoulder to lean upon, and those who knew him will miss his willingness to be there for them.

He is also survived by his son, Michael Waddell; his stepchildren, Daniel Wright Beck (Lyndall), Matthew Magnus Beck (Darlene) and Laura Beck Carlson (Jeremy); his grandchildren Ann Wright Carlson, Alice Beck Carlson, Boyd Wright Beck and William Knight Beck. Additionally, he is survived by his nephews Gary and Dennis Freeman and his niece Jeannie Ross. He was predeceased by his mother Annie Josephine Waddell, his father Howard Hagan Waddell, his brother David Paul Waddell, his sister Elizabeth Josephine Waddell and his first wife Donna Grice Boone.

He grew up in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1957. He graduated from William Cary College in 1961. He received his Masters of Theology in 1967 and his Doctorate of Education in 1972 from The New Orleans Baptist Seminary. He was an ordained Baptist minister for 25 years. In 1991, he was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Jonathan was highly credentialed in his professions as a clinical supervisor for marriage and family therapists and licensed professional counselors. He was a clinical pastoral education supervisor and was a Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He served on the staff of several Episcopal churches in Alabama. His memorial service will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham on Tuesday, November 28 at 3 p.m. with visitation starting at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STAIR Birmingham, a literacy organization, or your favorite charity.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.