Raymond Eugene Bedwell
May 29, 1951 ~ February 6, 2026
Resided in: Jacksonville , FL
Raymond Eugene Bedwell, a devoted husband, father, teacher, and decorated United States Army veteran, will be remembered for his lifelong commitment to service and leadership.
Ray honorably served as an Army Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, rising to the rank of First Sergeant. He also served as a Drill Instructor, mentoring and training the next generation of soldiers with discipline, integrity, and unwavering standards. He lived by the Special Forces motto, “De Oppresso Liber”—“To Free the Oppressed”—reflecting his dedication to defending freedom and serving others.
Following his military career, Ray graduated from Henderson State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and continued his service as an educator and coach at Bearden High School, Rebault Middle School, DuPont Middle School, and Camden County High School, where he was known for advocating for students and instilling the values of hard work, fairness, and character. Ray also continued his service as the Henderson State University ROTC Sergeant Major.
He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Beverly; his brother and sisters, Bill, Debbie, and Cindy; his daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and Alex; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and George; grandchildren, Laken, Harlee, and Aleece; Braxton and extended family and friends who will forever honor his legacy of strength, service, and integrity.
Please contact the family for service information.
Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Bedwell family.
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I served with your Dad at Ft. Ord. I was the 4th Squad leader in the Scout platoon. Your family and mine would spend time with each other on weekends grilling and having a beer outside. My wife Alice was your baby sitter. This would have been around 1987-1988’ish. We have searched the Internet for Ray many times over the decades and I never found him until yesterday when i found the Special Forces page honoring him. Of all my old Army buddies, he is the only one I would have traveled to visit or ask him to stay with us. Alas, I found him too late. I told Alice last night. This weekend I will have a beer in his memory along with some reminiscing. If you wish to get in contact with Alice and I, please do, my contact info is entered here.
We give you our deepest condolences. Ray was a wonderful man. I have missed him over the years and always will now. He wasn’t just my Platoon Sergeant, he was my friend.
Bruce and Alice Meyer