Services for Ray Von Bledsoe, 79, retired Santa Fe (BNSF) breakman, will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 9, 2022, at Lacy Funeral Home I Stephenville with Pastor Ed Dittfurth officiating. Burial will follow at Green Leaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M., Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Lacy Funeral Home.
Ray was born in Indian Creek, Texas on August 15, 1943, to Milton and Ione M. (Allgood) Bledsoe. He married Linda Gaye Shelton on December 31, 1976, in Brownwood, Texas. She preceded him in death on June 22, 2022.
Ray graduated from Brownwood High School in 1961 where he competed in football and went to state in 1960. Attending Howard Payne University, he achieved a BA in education, like his parents, in 1966. He taught 6th grade at Early Middle School until 1974. While in Brownwood, he helped build the Word of Faith Christian Center. He farmed his grandfather’s farm at Indian Creek, and he raised livestock. He then found his true calling with Santa Fe Railroad. When the Brownwood yard closed, he moved with the railroad to Troy, Texas and eventually to Stephenville, Texas, where he made his home. He retired after 30 years so he could relax and do things he enjoyed like, landscaping for the church, working in the garden center, and beautifying his own yard. He always had to stay busy. He enjoyed visiting with people, being involved with the church, and making new friends.
Ray is survived by his children, Stacy Bledsoe and husband Gilbert Delgado of Brownwood, Texas, Shane Bledsoe and wife Kimberly of McGregor, Texas, and Kayli Bledsoe; 10 grandchildren, William (Logan) Bledsoe of Granbury, Texas, N. Chauncey Parsons of Spearman, Texas, Leah Martinez and Lanea Martinez of Abilene, Texas, Alicia Lara of Stephenville, Texas, Jake and Lori Fedler, Brittney Fedler, Maggie Parmer and Slate Kinerd; 4 great grandchildren, Kota Parsons, Cooper Parsons, Avery Parsons, and Raegan Fedler; brothers, Gary Don Bledsoe of Brownwood, Texas, and Alex and Glenda McKee of Graford, Texas.
