James Stephen Bethea |
| Posted 2009-07-31 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, August 23, 2006 James Stephen Bethea, Capt. USN (Ret), age 94, of Atlanta, Ga., a devoted husband, father of four sons, and much-admired naval architect, passed away Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006. He was born Aug. 27, 1911 in Latta, S.C. and raised in Prescott, Ariz. He received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated near the top of his class in 1933. He later earned an MS in Naval Architecture from MIT, meeting his first wife during those fortuitous Boston years. Early in WWII, he served at Philadelphia Navy Yard, and later with then - Capt. Rickover, upgrading ship repair facilities all across the Pacific. Following hostilities, he supervised damage assessment for A-Bomb tests on Bikini Atoll. In 1953, he was a leader of the design team that developed the teardrop high speed submarine USS Albacore, AGSS-569 (prototype for the modern atomic submarine fleet). After his own sons were grown, he served ten years as volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America in Newport News, Va. He loved golf and was an avid duplicate bridge player, holding a Life Master designation. During his years in Atlanta, he was a member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church. James was preceded in death by his first wife (of 38 years), Dorothy Thomas Bethea, and his second wife (of 28 years), Harriett Wilcox Johnston Bethea. Survivors include his four sons, Dr. J. Stephen Bethea III (Margaret) of Atlanta, Ga.; Thomas D. Bethea (Bonnie) of Chicago, Ill.; David M. Bethea (Kim) of Madison, Wise.; and Richard E. Bethea (Gail) of avannah, Ga.; grandchildren, Patton Fowler (John) of Atlanta, Ga., Camden Bethea of Franklin, Tenn., Jim Bethea IV (Jan) of Atlanta, Ga., Emily Bethea of Madison, Wise., Jeff and Kate Bethea of Baltimore, Md. and Jenny Bethea of Savannah, Ga.; great grandchildren, John Thomas Fowler, Maggie Fowler, Robert Fowler, Katie Bethea, Jim Bethea V., Tom Bethea, and Mary Margaret Bethea. Extended family includes step-sons Jim Wilcox (Betty) and Peter Wilcox (Diana) and their children and grandchildren. Private graveside services will be held at the Magnolia Cemetery in Latta, S.C. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Anne's Terrace, 3100 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, Ga., 30327, and St Joseph's Mercy Foundation, 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite # 650, Atlanta, Ga., 30342. Kannaday's Funeral Home of Latta, S.C. is assisting the family. Information provided by survivors. |
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