Joe Charles Bedwell of Tulsa passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Clarehouse, a hospice facility. He was 70 years old. Joe was born July 16, 1946 in Roswell, NM. He was one of 3 children born to Josephine and Lewis Bedwell.

Joe grew up in Quitaque, TX. He attended West Texas University as an undergraduate and as a graduate student. He taught high school science subjects. In 1971, he moved to Tulsa and taught in Tulsa Public Schools until his retirement. Joe then began a landscaping business where he employed young men to help teach them a vocation. Always the teacher, he changed the lives of many who worked for him as well as their families. Although dealing with cancer for a number of years, Joe continued to work in residential and commercial gardens until a few months before his death.

Well known throughout the gardening world, Joe gave talks and presented programs at the Tulsa Botanic Garden, Orchid Society, and to many other groups. Joe had a large greenhouse filled with exotic plants, primarily orchids, which he collected from all over the world. Attached to the greenhouse was an aviary filled with all types of birds, especially canaries which he bred and sold. The grounds around his home were a gardener's paradise.

Joe was a man with deep religious convictions and an abiding faith in God. He loved and cared for his family, friends, three dogs, birds, fish, plants, and all of nature. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Teddy Bedwell of Clyde, TX and his sister Jackie Esnard of Plano, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to The Tulsa Botanic Garden or the Orchid Society.

Private family services were held. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com