Arthur Ray “Buddy” Blocker passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Brownwood Regional Medical Center.

Buddy was born on August 27, 1941 in Graham to Ford and Imogene Blocker.  He graduated from Graham High School in 1960 and joined the United States Air Force.  He was stationed in Minot, North Dakota where he was the base Judo instructor.  Buddy was honorably discharged in 1966.  He worked for General Dynamics for several years before becoming a top motorcycle mechanic for West Side Cycles in Fort Worth for 30 years before moving to Brownwood.  He retired from Allsup’s Convenience Stores after managing the store on Coggin Avenue for 10 years.  He loved racing motorcycles on a flat track.  Prior to the death of his brother Billy, you could find them sitting in front of the Nintendo playing football.  After retiring, you could always find him sitting in the sunshine reading a western novel and reminiscing with those around him.  Buddy, like his brother, never met a stranger.  He married the love of his life, Melinda, on November 12, 1975.  Although the marriage didn’t last, he carried that torch for the rest of his days.

Buddy is survived by a daughter, Lisa Loop Starks of Fort Worth, sister, Rhonda Blocker of Lake Brownwood, niece, Misty King and husband Keith, a dear friend of over 20 years, Janeva Evans, and two grandchildren.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Billy Blocker and a sister, Sandra Tretter.

The family would like to thank the staff at BRMC with a special thank you to our nurse on the 4th floor that spent the last six hours with us.  You went above and beyond.  Nurses like you are few and far between.  Thank you to all of his caretakers at Songbird Lodge.  Buddy was a good man and will be dearly missed.

A graveside service will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 6:00 PM.

A tribute of Buddy’s life can be found at heartlandfuneralhome.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for the family.