Donald Lee Bandy, 76, of Bradenton, Florida, died Sunday, March 20, at the Blake Medical Center in Bradenton.
He was born Dec. 21, 1934, a son of the late Edgar and Lena Clements Bandy.He is survived by sisters Virginia Bandy Gibeaut of Worthington, Ohio, and Ruth Bandy Jobe of Dayton, Ohio, brother Calvin (Mary) Bandy of Athens, Georgia, brother-in-law Norman Reagan of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, sisters-in-law Jane Reagan of Lafayette, Indiana, and Lois Bandy of New Holland, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Bandy, sisters Eva Bandy Palmer and Olive Bandy Sheley and Nellie Bandy Burton and brothers Edgar, Harry, Kenny and Victor.
Don is an Ohio State graduate who was a long-time reporter for the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal before he retired and moved to Florida. He began at the BJ May 19, 1969 and retired June 11, 1997.
Funeral services will be in Don’s native Washington Court House, Ohio, where Kirkpatrick Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Additional details will be announced later.
Don was the No. 1 rewrite guy in the Beacon Journal newsroom for decades.
Don's niece, Ruth Burton, of Sarasota, Florida, called with the news.
Don was taken to Blake hospital last November for dehydration. He returned to his Bradenton condo and about two weeks later fell and broke his hip. He underwent rehabilitation at Heritage Center in Bradenton. Later, Don was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Don was an expert at taking reporters' phone calls and whipping the information into clear, concise stories on deadline.
Don often showed up for reunions with BJ retirees who visited Florida. He came to Ohio to meet up with friends, too. In 2004 he was at the monthly BJ Alums lunch at Papa Joe's Restaurant on Akron/Peninsula Road. In 2005 he reunited in Columbus with former BJ reporters Bill Hershey, Jim Ricci, Michael Cull, John and Georgia McDonald, Mike Clary, Larry Froelich and former BJ Business Desk chief Jim Toms.
Don's brother, Victor, died in Naples last September. There were 11 children in the Bandy family.
Don Bandy was one of the classiest people I ever worked with, in any business. He and I went way back - I have a B/W picture of me as a preschooler in Washington Courthouse, OH, taken by Don Bandy! In my adult life, I remember Don as the consummate newsroom pro. I'm sorry to learn of his passing but grateful to the BJ Blog, and John Olesky & Harry Liggett, for making me aware of it.
ReplyDeleteUncle Donny was a wonderful man, I remember he always had a smile on his face. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace. All my love goes to my family, wish I was able to be there to show my support.
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