Charles (Chuck) Bledsoe December 5, 1937 – April 5, 2022

Charles (Chuck) Bledsoe

December 5, 1937 – April 5, 2022

Charles (Chuck) Bledsoe, age 84, of Gatesville, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Restland Cemetery. Visitation with Chuck’s family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Charles “Chuck” Wilmer Bledsoe was born on Dec. 5, 1937, in Andalusia, Alabama to Ruby Lois Holland Bledsoe and Wilmer J.D. “Bill” Bledsoe. He joined the Army before graduating high school and completed his basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Gordon, Georgia. He then went on to Korea, where he was engaged in enemy action. After returning from his first tour, he reenlisted in 1956 with the 151 Signal Battalion and was attached to the Air Force and was designated SCARWAF. After completing his second tour of service, he was stationed in Fort Hood where he met the love of his life, Phay Nell Keener. The two married soon after and made Gatesville their lifelong home. Following Chuck’s discharge from the service and after he had finished raising his family, he became a very active member in the local VFW Post 8230 where he wore many hats, including Commander. He was a lifetime member with the American Legion Post 42 where he was also a member of The Legion Riders.

Chuck would call himself a “jack of all trades and master of none,” although most thought differently. Among them were working and driving trucks for Anchor Plastics, and also driving a bus for the Southwestern Transit Co. He was also employed with State School for Boys, owned and operated “Bledsoe’s Garage” and later became a business owner and operator of Gatesville Radiator & Wrecker Shop. One could say Chuck had a fascination for the thrill and excitement of life. He loved to drive and raced as often as he could on dirt racetracks locally. He and Phay Nell raced go-karts together and later in life, were avid Harley Davidson riders which included trips to Yellowstone and many other places. His hobbies included building “stuff,” including his ranch home in Purmela. He also enjoyed fishing, playing the guitar, traveling, and later gardening. He had great love for animals.

During a normal workweek, you could almost set your watch for the 7 a.m. men’s get-together at Davidson Auto for donuts, coffee and story time. If Chuck wasn’t busy creating a story, he was definitely telling one. His presence in this life will be missed by those he has left behind, but his memories and stories will always remain and into the arms of God, we entrust.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Wilmer Bledsoe; wife, Phay Nell Bledsoe; sister, Mary Bledsoe Onderdonk; and a brother, Larry Bledsoe.

He is survived by his loving children: Terry Wayne Bledsoe and wife, Jerrie, of Gatesville; daughter, Charlotte Dear and husband, David, of Rockport. He also leaves behind extended family members both in Alabama and Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion Post #42, 214 Watts Lane, Gatesville, TX 76528, which supports the community he loved so much.