Bart Allen Dredge, a dedicated scholar and retired professor of sociology, passed away on March 7, 2026, at the age of 75. Born in Jackson, Michigan on April 3, 1950, he was the son of the late William Lee Dredge and Margaret McLain Dredge. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his three siblings, Marilee, Brian, and Kevin Dredge.

A 1968 graduate of Parker High School in Greenville, South Carolina, Bart spent his early adulthood working in public and community service. He served briefly in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve before building a career in law enforcement as a police officer and detective for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

His focus later turned to higher education, leading to an accomplished career as a scholar and professor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Furman University and went on to complete his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1994, Dr. Dredge joined the faculty at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. For 26 years, he served with distinction as a professor of sociology and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology until his retirement in 2020.

Dr. Dredge was highly esteemed within the world of academia. A distinguished lecturer, researcher, and author, he published several articles examining the complex facets of religious and labor history in the American South. Beyond his intellect, he was known to colleagues and students as a voracious reader, a formidable debater, and an enthusiastic fan of Elvis Presley's music.

He is survived by his only daughter, Christie (Douglas) Zerkel, as well as two grandchildren, Jake and Kara.