Tennessee Flags at Half Mast

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Famous Jack Daniels master distiller dies

Posted: Aug 07, 2009 10:05 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Jimmy Bedford, former master distiller at the Jack Daniel Distillery, has died.

The 69-year-old's body was found Friday outside a barn at his farm in Lynchburg, apparently the victim of a heart attack, company officials said.

Bedford had retired in March after spending the last 20 years as master distiller supervising the entire operation at the distillery. He was the promotional face behind the product and was shown in one photo standing behind a Jack Daniel's bottle with his arms folded. He also signed some bottles and storage barrels, and hosted tasting seminars.