Hugh Bethea

Hugh T. Bethea, Jr, 91 years of age, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2014, in Winter Park, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hardee County, FL, he was a World War II veteran of the United States Army Air Corps. He had a long, distinguished, career in Florida law enforcement. He began his law enforcement career, after WW II, with the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD), where, in 1960, he was the first DBPD officer to attend the FBI National Academy. He retired from DBPD, as a Lieutenant, after 21 years, to work as an Arson Investigator for the Florida State Fire Marshal Office, retiring in 1992 with the rank of Major. He was preceded in death, by his wife of 71 years, Arveita, his parents, and two brothers. He is survived by two children, Sherri Powell (Randy), Mike Bethea (Lynda), six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, two nieces, two nephews, and sister in law, Marlene Bethea. Services will be held, 1100 Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Liberty Baptist Church, 744 N. Dean Rd, Orlando, FL. Open viewing will begin at 1030. Interment will be 3:00 PM, Thursday at Friendship Methodist Cemetery, Zolfo Springs, FL.