Roger Bedford Passes

Longtime Alabama State Senator Roger Bedford Jr. passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the age of 67 as confirmed by the former senator's law firm, Bedford and Associates.
Bedford served in the Alabama State Senate as Senator of District 6 from 1982 to 2014.  He was born on July 2, 1956 to Roger H. Bedford Sr. and Jane Bonds Bedford.
He received his education at the University of Alabama, and his law degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University.
He practiced law in Russellville at the law firm of Roger Bedford & Associates and was the Russellville and Hackleburg municipal court judge.
Bedford was also an executive member of the American Cancer Society, an executive committee member of the Alabama Law Institute and a lifetime member of the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Rotary Club, board member of the Russellville Hospital, a lifetime member of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and is a former Board of Bar commissioner for the 34th Judicial Circuit.  
In 1982, Bedford was the youngest person ever elected to the Alabama State Senate at the age of 25.
He then went on to bring economic development, vital programs and essential funding to District 2 and District 6 for over 20 years. Dynamic and determined, Bedford championed public education, workforce development and progressive infrastructure projects.
State Representative Tracy Estes recalled his time working at the Journal Record in Hamilton, together with Bedford.
"Roger and I worked together for years in my previous role with the newspaper. I always appreciated his accessibility and straightforward conversations. From time to time, his work proved a bit controversial, but no one could ever question his devotion to his district and constituents," said Estes.
"He was a tireless worker and managed to place himself in a position of seniority in the state senate, allowing him to bring financial aid back to our area. In Montgomery, service to a lawmaker’s district is about seniority, committee assignments and relationships and Roger certainly proved a master of each. He will be missed by many, as I extend my prayers to his son, family and closest friends of which Roger had many."
Bedford is survived by his son, Roger Bedford III; brother, John Lawson Bedford (Julia); sister, Helen Bedford Roberson; niece, Audrey Bedford Ogilvie (Morgan); nephew, Evan Lawson Bedford and stepmother, Betty Hall Bedford. He was predeceased by his wife Maudie, his parents, brother Robert E. Bedford and brother-in-law William "Bill" Roberson.