Obituary of Robert Dedman

Robert Dedman passed away at home, surrounded by his devoted wife and daughters on May 9, 2019 at age 85.  The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and on Monday from 11 a.m. until the service.  The Funeral Service is 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2019 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home.  Interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery will follow the service.  Pallbearers:  Bob Haley, Larry Tomlinson, Quintin Smith, John Mark Bailey, Stratton Bone, Eddie Bennett, Donnie “Duke” Tribble Jr., and Johnny Bush.  Honorary Pallbearers:  Wilson County employees, Class of 1953 Lebanon High, Larry Capps, Lee Barrett, Charles and Rachel Warren, Sherry and Brittany Bush, Joe Winfree, Glenda Ann Baddour Palmer, Mark Tribble, Lisa and Katelin Bennett.

               Robert was the only child of Dewey Frances Dedman and Maggie Marie Graves Dedman, born November 4, 1933.  He was a life-long resident, born and raised in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, being away only during his tour of duty in the U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict.  Robert attended grade school at Highland Heights School, graduated from Lebanon High School, Class of 1953, and attended the University of Kentucky. Robert won many District/Regional Honors in basketball and football.  He played on the 1951 – 1953 LHS Blue Devils Football team that held the honor of the longest undefeated streak in Tennessee, 27 consecutive games.  In 1952, Robert was the first LHS Football player in history to win statewide recognition, selected as All Associated Press, All State Team, outstanding on both offense and defense. At the University of Kentucky, Robert played football under Paul “Bear” Bryant. In 1953, out of 37 Grid football players, he was the only non-Kentuckian for a scholarship.

               Robert’s long career in government began in 1972 when he served as the City of Lebanon’s first Purchasing Agent.  In 1978 he was employed by the Secretary of State then was elected in 1981-1985 to the Lebanon City Council, then in 1984-1996 Wilson County Assessor of Property until his first retirement.  In 1997-1998 he served as Senate Sergeant-At-Arms for the Tennessee State 100th General Assembly. He was elected as Wilson County Mayor in 1998 and served the county in that capacity until his final retirement in 2010.

               Robert was honored for his public service in 1998-1999 with the Lebanon High School Distinguished Service Award. He was one of the first to be inducted in the Lebanon High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2009, Robert was awarded as a Life Time Member of the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

               Robert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Faye Tribble Dedman, daughters Robbie Dedman Farmer and Karen Dedman, granddaughters Lacey (Mike) Acuff and Lindsay (Micah) Williams, great-grandsons Nolan and Adam Acuff and Cayden and Brody Williams, and special family member Jeanette Muirhead.  He is preceded in death by his parents Dewey Frances and Maggie Marie Graves Dedman.

               The family extends their deepest gratitude to Robert’s caregivers, Jeffrey Napier and Amber Thomas, and the hospice team.  Please make Memorial Donations to The Wilson County Veterans Museum (304 E. Main St, Lebanon TN 37087, 615.444.2460) and/or The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Wilson County (www. Relayforlife.org/wilsontn.  Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.