Hilory George Bedford

H.G. BedfordHilory George Bedford went to join his lord and personal savior, Jesus Christ, on October 9, 2013. He was born June 24, 1926 to the Midland pioneer ranching family of Nita Hill Bedford and Hilory Green Bedford. He had two sisters, Anna Beth and Nell Ruth. He attended Midland schools and the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. While attending NMMI, he played on the varsity polo team. He graduated with honors in 1944. After graduating from NMMI, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served in the Philippine Islands on the Navy destroyer, the USS Frank Knox, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He felt honored to have served his country as a member of The Greatest Generation.Following discharge from the navy, he attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. While at Tech, he served as the President of the Texas Tech Rodeo Club, where he pursued his love of calf roping and team roping. H.G. was one of the founding members of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.He married Dorothy Sue Wright, “Sudy” as she is fondly known by her friends and family, in San Angelo, Texas on July 24, 1948. Following H.G.’s graduation from Texas Tech in 1950, he and Sudy moved to the ranch outside Springer, New Mexico. For the next fifty years he continued to own and manage ranches in West Texas and New Mexico where he raised both purebred and crossbred Hereford cattle and registered Quarter Horses. He raised and owned respected horses for ranch work, arena performances, and running Quarter Horses. He earned a reputation as a solid West Texas cattleman and horseman. In 1999, the 12th annual Midland Ranch Rodeo was held in his honor. In the fall of 2011, H.G. was honored as a recipient of the Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman’s Award for a lifetime of cattle ranching achievement.H.G. was actively engaged in the Permian Basin oil and gas industry for many years. He served on the board of directors of numerous oil and gas, real estate and banking organizations.He was a lifetime member of First Christian Church of Midland. He served on the church board and many committees and was honored as an Elder Emeritus. He served on many community boards of directors, including the Board of Governors of Midland Memorial Foundation, Community and Senior Services, and for eleven years, the Chairman of the Quarter Horse Division of the Sand Hills Hereford and Quarter Horse Show.In his spare time he enjoyed traveling and playing tennis with his friends. H.G. and Sudy traveled extensively with Arthur and Bitsy Odum of Midland. He and Sudy enjoyed great times with members of the Los Cochinos Dinner Club. H.G. was an avid reader of history, biographies, and foreign affairs literature. He studied and collected western art.H.G. and Sudy were married for 65 years. They have three daughters, Beverly Drummond and husband Gene, Lisa Sams and husband Lourcey, and Nita Bedford Fradenburg of Tupelo, Mississippi. They have eight grandchildren, Brent Drummond and wife Mindy, Erin Drummond, Wright Drummond, Hunter Davis, Hilory Wiggins, Hiill Fradenburg, George Fradenburg, and Anna Fradenburg. They have two great-granddaughters, Brooke and Grace Wiggins. His sister Anna Beth Farr of Midland also survives him. His surviving brother-in-law is Harry D. Wright and wife Elizabeth of San Antonio, Texas.The family extends a special thanks to Mary Leon for her loving care of H.G. and to Hospice of Midland for their dedicated care.A private burial service will be conducted prior to a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2013, at the First Christian Church, 1301 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to First Christian Church Benevolence Fund, 1301 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas 79701; The Haley Library and Museum, 1805 Louisiana, Midland, Texas, 79701; Community and Senior Services, 3301 Sinclair, Midland, Texas, 79707; Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, Texas, 79702; or the charity of your choice.,