Alvin Addison Bodine, Sr., age 92, of Longwood, Florida, died on August 31, 2020. Al was born on October 30, 1927 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Osborne Addison and Laurena Elizabeth (Gardner) Bodine.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Alice Smallwood (d.2017), three brothers: Roland, Edgar, and Tom and two sisters: June and Virginia. Alvin is survived by his only son Alvin Addison Bodine, Jr.; sister-in-law Peggy Bodine (brother Tom’s wife), nephew Jeff Bodine, niece Heather Cline and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Al graduated from East High School in Youngstown where he gained fame and began his career in football. He was sought after by 65 major universities and legendary the coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant, Sid Gillman, and Frank Leahy. Al ultimately became a “Georgia Bulldog” and played under coach Wally Butts and alongside Charlie Trippi, Joseph Geri, and Johnny Rauch. He was the Alternate Captain of the Bulldogs from 1947 to 1949. While at UGA he met and married the love of his life, Alice Smallwood (Waycross, Georgia).
After college Al was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and then went on to play for 2 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He retired in 1952 as a result of knee injuries.
He and Alice settled in Fernandina Beach, Florida where Al became the first director of the city’s recreation center. He then worked as a sales engineer for St. Regis Paper Company that took the family from Tennessee to Mississippi and then back to Florida. He retired from Georgia Pacific, Longwood, Florida but then decided to return to work for 10 more years at Old Republic Title Company in Maitland, Florida.
Al’s passion and the love of his life was Alice. They enjoyed dining out, shows and gatherings with friends and family and spending most of their free time together. They enjoyed travelling throughout the U.S., in Europe and the Caribbean islands. Their memories were filled with love and the beautiful times shared together.
Graveside Inurnment will take place 11:00 a.m. on October 31, 2020 at Oakland Cemetery, 2410 Alice Street, Waycross, Georgia 31501 under the direction of Miles-Odum Funeral Home, Waycross, Georgia.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
VIA: https://www.milesodumfuneralhome.com/obituary/alvin-bodine-sr
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