H. Ray Bedwell

God came down in all His glory Friday, February 22, 2019 and with gentleness, grace, and utmost tenderness gave His son, Ray, his last breath and called him to his celestial home. Ray Bedwell, 82, graduated to his new life at his home near Dallas, Texas, his residence since 2016. Ray was born in Greene County, Indiana, December 30, 1936, to Herb and Ethel (Foster) Bedwell, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Lyons High School, Lyons, Indiana, where he played basketball, jumped hurdles, and was a standout baseball pitcher. He then graduated from Indiana State University in 1962 with honors as the outstanding grad in Radio and Television Communications. At I.S.U., he was active in Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, where he served three years as its president and met his future wife, Phyllis Ann Brown, a church musician and later Vigo County school teacher, who survives him. They were married August 30, 1959, at First Evangelical United Brethren Church, 14th and Chestnut, and would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. Ray did studies in Bible and Missions at Columbia Graduate School of Missions in South Carolina, served as pastor several years of congregations in Lyons, Fontanet, and Kingman, Indiana; as a producer and broadcast communicator at Southern Keswick Christian Radio station, St. Petersburg, Florida; and as an Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship staff worker at Univ. Of South Florida in Tampa, U. Of South Carolina, and Ind. State. He later worked as a youth counselor three years with the Federal Youth Corps while becoming interim pastor in 1969 at World Gospel Church in Woodridge. Ray and wife, Phyllis, after graduating from Spanish Language Institute in San José, Costa Rica, served with Latin America Mission—later merged with United World Mission— in camp work, radio ministry, and youth evangelism in Costa Rica four years and 43 years in Mexico. He ministered more than 40 years as a youth pastor, discipler, Bible teacher, counselor, and mission trainer and mobilizer with Castillo del Rey (Castle of the King) now an international association of ministries based in Monterrey, Mexico, where he formed part of the founding team, and also founded and directed the Center for World Evangelism (CEM.). Together they served nearly 50 years in affiliation with World Gospel Church and United World Mission. In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by a daughter, Lori Lynn, of Austin, Texas; sons Kirk Steven, of Scott City, Missouri; Kyle Douglas, Miami, Florida; four granddaughters, 4 grandsons, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, of Texas, California, Missouri , Indiana, New Mexico and Florida. Preceding him in death , in addition to his parents, are three sisters, Jeannette Tincher, Jean Whitehead and Kay Titus, and three brothers -in-law, all originally of Lyons. A celebration of Ray’s life will take place Saturday, March 2, at 12:00 at World Gospel Church, with visitation beginning at 9:30. There will also be a time of visitation at Roselawn Funeral Home on Friday, March 1 from 6 to 9 pm. Thanks and appreciation are extended to Roselawn and to World Gospel Pastor Alfy Austin, who will minister in the celebration together with Bud Vanest, of Navigators International, Bloomington, and several pastors from Castle of the King Monterrey. The church choir, pianist Mimi Mech and soloists from Mexico will minister musically. Appreciation is also extended to Baylor Health Center and Faith Presbyterian Hospice, Dallas, for their compassionate care. Burial will be at Highland Lawn. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net To God be the glory.