Daniel Carl Medley

He was born to Daniel Robert Medley and Naomi Medley, Nov. 17, 1926, the 4th of 9 children, in Paden, Mississippi. Carl graduated from Paden High School and attended Delta State University and Copiah-Lincoln Community College where he played baseball and basketball. He married the love of his life, Mary Wilda Wells on May 22, 1951.

Carl loved sports and played semi-pro baseball and basketball in his younger years. He served in the United States Army and played on the Army’s basketball and baseball teams while stationed in Europe during the end of World War II. He was inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, in recognition for his outstanding performance in basketball.

Carl spent many years as an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry and was a partner in Pioneer Oil Company, which introduced the first “self-serve” gas stations in the southern states. He was respected by all for the high standards of his work ethic and his generosity to those less fortunate. Carl and Wilda returned “home” to Tishomingo, MS in 1971 where he ran his own business, was actively involved in Tishomingo United Methodist Church, and never met a stranger. He loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman with a real passion for fishing and hunting quail.

Carl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wilda Medley, and two daughters, Cheri Medley Alexy and Carla Medley Hopkins and husband, Ron Hopkins, 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Ishbel McDougal and Janelle Burnett, and numerous nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his two sons, Dr. Ron Medley and Dale Medley.

Carl loved children and was never happier than when spending time fishing, hunting and playing ball or dominos with his grandchildren or holding a baby.

The family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at Autumn Grove Cottage in Eagle Springs, where he was affectionately known to all as “Granddaddy”. Their loving care and joyful spirits are a daily blessing to all the residents and their families. We are also thankful for the tender and compassionate care provided by the angel-nurses from A-Med Hospice.

A Celebration of the Life of Carl Medley will be held March 16th, 2014 at Atascocita United Methodist Church (www.aumc.org) at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the National Alzheimer's Association.