ARTHUR "BUMBY" EDWARD BALDRIDGE, JR.

ARTHUR EDWARD "BUMBY" BALDRIDGE, JR., a well-known resident of the Arlington Community, longtime Police Officer and U. S. Veteran died at 6:15 P.M. Friday, May 1, 2009 at the St. Francis Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for seven days. He was 64 years of age and died following a four-month illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Baldridge were conducted at 2 P.M. Wednesday, May 6th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Burrow Cemetery at Gallaway. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Baldridge was born July 7, 1944 in Memphis the son of the late Arthur Edward Baldridge Sr. and the late Claracena Rappel Baldridge. He was educated in the Memphis Public School System, was a graduate of the South Side High School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Memphis.

Mr. Baldridge served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War Period and was married July 27, 1968 to the former Susan McKnight of Fayette County, who survives.

Mr. Baldridge served as a Police Officer for the City of Memphis for thirty-five years and retired with the rank of Major in 2001. He was of the Christian faith and had been a resident of the Arlington Community for the past thirty-nine years.

He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family and the enjoyment he received from his close relationship with his grandchildren.

His interests included golfing, bowling and baseball. He was an avid University of Tennessee and University of Memphis Sports fan and enjoyed motorcycles throughout his life.

In addition to his wife of forty years, Mr. Baldridge is survived by two daughters, Sonya Hawkins (Steven) of Arlington and Jamie Newcomb (Lee) of Bartlett; two sons, Arthur E. Baldridge, III (Julie) of New Albany, MS and Jared Maksi of Somerville and "Bumby's" pride and joy-his five grandchildren: Annabel, Emily, Cameron (A.K.A. "Blondey"), Adam and Abigail.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were John Garner, Dennis Hodges, Jack Lee, Jr., Alan Pendleton, Kenny Riales, Ryan Tillman, Gordon Whisenhunt and Arkie Winterberg.

Honorary casket bearers were present and former fellow police officers of the Memphis Police Department.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the church, charity or organization of the donor's choice.