Obituary of Reginald L Bethel

<b>Lexington, Kentucky</b> Reginald L. Bethel, 81, devoted and loving husband of Nora E. Bethel, was called to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 22, 2015 due to complications from Alzheimer's. He was born November 25, 1933 in Louisville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Lucille Bethel. Reg graduated from Campbellsville College in 1953 where he met his first and only sweetheart, Nora. They married in December of 1953 and began 61 years of total dedication to each other. Reg cherished Nora, his children, grandchildren, fellow church members and fellow IBMers. He leaves a legacy of Christian witness and service, devotion to family and humility that is revered by all who came in contact with him. Reg and Nora started their family while Reg received his Bachelor Degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1955. Over the next two years Reg made a vocational change and started working at IBM in 1957. He started as an apprentice Tool and Die Maker. During this time, IBM offered a special program for Tool and Die Makers to get their Engineering Degrees from the University of Kentucky. Reg was the first person to complete this program and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He moved into Engineering working on the Selectric Typewriter. He was integral in designing several of the Selectric typewriter features that made it to the top typewriter in the world. Reg's career continued by moving into management where he managed Engineering departments on Copier 1 and 2. He was integral in the automation of the Lexington site for Wheelwriter and Quietwriter typewriter assembly. During the last years of his career he took an assignment in Charlotte, North Carolina to assist in the transfer of printers to be manufactured in Lexington. Reg retired in 1989. He then worked alongside Nora who was a volunteer in the Woman's Auxiliary at Central Baptist Hospital. After a short time he started working evenings in the Hospital Gift Shop. He worked there for 18 years before he retired for a second time to spend to spend more time with family. Reg's greatest joy in life was his family. Along with Nora, also surviving are his children: Keith (Tina) Bethel, Nicholasville, Kevin Bethel, Lexington, Elizabeth (Lonnie) Hostin, Mansfield, Texas and Karl (Lori) Bethel, Arlington, Texas, his grandchildren: Ryan Bethel, Lexington, Angela Bethel, Nicholasville, Ryan Bright, New York, Adam (Erica) Bethel, Lexington, Kaitlin Bethel, Louisville, Kentucky, Logan (Ali) Hostin, Richardson, Texas, Chandler Hostin, Mansfield, Texas, Brittany (Charlie) Love, Ft Worth, Texas and Jarred Bethel, Arlington, Texas; great grandchildren: Emily Bethel, Giuliana Bethel and Nora Jane Hostin. His pride came from their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal savior and raising their families in Christian homes. Also surviving is his sister, Neva Joan Sales, and many nieces and nephews. Campbellsville University has always been special to Reg and he has supported them throughout the years as a Lifetime member of the President's Club. He served on the Board of Trustees at Campbellsville from 1991-1994. He has been recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2014 Servant Leadership Award. Reg was also instrumental in establishing Campbellsville's first computer lab through his donations and grants from IBM. Reg Bethel was a man who lived Gods plan for his life. He was a lay minister from 1954 through 1956 but God showed him that you can walk with him daily and still witness to others without being employed by a church. He taught Sunday School classes for several age groups and served in church leadership roles at Grace Baptist Church, Russell Cave Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church. He served as an active Deacon at Russell Cave and Immanuel. However, his first and true love was teaching his men's Sunday School class. He did this for 45 years until Alzheimer's made it too difficult to continue. The men I his class loved him and Reg loved them back. <b>Funeral Information</b> Visitation will be at Clark Legacy Center at 601 E. Brannon Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 4pm to 8pm. The Memorial service will be Monday at 11 am at Clark Legacy Center, conducted by Dr. Don Dilday. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ryan Bethel, Adam Bethel, Ryan Bright, Logan Hostin, Chandler Hostin and Jarred Bethel. His family has selected his men's Sunday School Class to be Honorary Pallbearers.