GeneBledsoe Sr.

"It's been one month since my daddy passed away. It seems like yesterday. It is comforting to know he is with Jesus but I still miss hjim so much. Thank you to those who came to his funeral. It was nice to see how many people were touched by my daddy's life and service. What can a daughter say except that I love him very much and I will miss him even more."

"My precious bubby: (I wasn't ready for you to go -- you've left a large hole in my heart with only memories to fill it -- most bring smiles as tears fall; all are dear.) Gene was a jewel of a brother. We fussed like most siblings -- until his first trip home after joining the army. Then we were pals. He had a way of bringing delight to those around him, and bringing delightful people into his life. I thank my love-sister Nancy again for extending his life by her care of him. I thank our Father and our Elder Brother for the wondrous plan of salvation -- to KNOW that Gene is with Them and loved ones lessens the pain. (I'll see you soon. Love u, your sister, Faye)"

"Uncle Gene will be missed, I know I will see him again in heaven."

"Gene was a good man, and we will miss him. Nancy took very good care of him during his last years when he was was not well, and my the Lord reward her richly for doing so! We miss you, Mean Gene (a playful old nickname I used to use with him) and we are here for Nancy. Til we meet again!"

"Dear Trish, Thank you very much for your email passing on the sad news of Ivan Gene's death. My name is Melvin Deatherage and I am Gene's third cousin (I guess it would be: my dad, Ed Deatherage, and Gene's dad, Travis Bledsoe were first cousins). I am saddened by Gene's passing. Ivan Gene and I used to see one another when we were kids and teenagers. One of the stories that my mom used to smile about and relate was when Fay (I think it was) was a baby, and Gene kept opening the door and letting the air come in on the baby. His mother, Bessie Bledsoe, said, "Ivan Gene, if you open that door one more time while I'm bathing this baby, I'll give you a whipping." Well, it wasn't too long until Gene did, indeed, open the door, but his mom had not noticed that he had done so. So Gene, said, "See here, Mom, I did open it!" And then there was the time when I was a teenager and had finally accumulated enough of my hard-earned money to purchase a second-hand bicycle. Ivan Gene, who was a couple of years younger than I, tossed my bike into the ditch behind our house. When I asked why in the world he did that, he said , "I guess the devil made me do it." Gene, of course, was a fine fellow. I visited him and his (then) wife's home in Kaiserslautern, Germany in 1961 when I was attending a school elsewhere in Germany. He himself was on maneuvers or some such I think, but I did meet his wife. The last time I saw Gene and met Nancy was when I was down at the Lake (Palestine) near Frankston, TX, at my brothers' (Burney and Kenneth's) homes, and Gene and Nancy came by for a short while. It was good to see him both of them. I guess I saw Gene's father more than I saw Gene himself, for I remember that the father was staying with us in Oklahoma City while he was working, alongside my dad, selling burial policies. That was while I was commuting to college and living at home. Our families were linked not only by blood but also by religion since both my dad and Gene's dad were Pentecostal ministers. My sympathies to all the family and friends, Melvin Deatherage"

"Gene, what can I say. He was a one of a kind brother. Even though he was 12 years older, he was bigger than life to me and I always wanted to be around him. When I was very young, he joined the Army and it was surprise trips home we all loved. The whole family - Aunt, Uncles, Cousins, wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Later he was the not only adviser to his patients, but to his family. He LISTENED. He did not JUDGE. His wonderful little wife, Nancy, took such good care of him in the last years when he was pretty well confined to home. He adored his kids and grandchildren. Almost all emails to me he had something to say about his kids. Whether Billy had made a promotion, L Gene was moving to Dallas, and would be closer to him, and if Becky was in the air. But I think he always knew where......And the Grandkids, oh my, the stories he told of their activities. He loved you all dearly, don't ever forget. He was one of a kind and I will miss my Big Brother until we meet again in heaven. Love You Brother, Your L Sis, Joy"

"I have been slow to write in the guestbook because of coming to terms with Gene's passing. I knew that his health has been failing for a long time. I so wanted to get back to Oklahoma and have many long visits with him in person. It is doubly hard coming so soon after Virgil Wayne passed and Burnie before him. I did have a good long telephone conversation with Gene about a week before he died. As usual, I was asking his advice about something. From such a mischievious (but loveable and cute) kid, he grew to a very wise elder. I know he helped people in his counseling practice and daily life. He sure helped me with problems that I could not share with many people. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, and especially Nancy. Nancy - you have been such a wonderful wife to Gene, and we all appreciate that. The family and I love you for your self; but even if we did not, we would love you for how you have looked after Gene. He loved and depended on you so much. You made his life very happy. You will always be a loved member of our family. I know life will be very hard for you without him. You have our prayers that God will give you comfort. I know there was rejoicing in Heaven when Gene arrived. I can see his parents greeting him and Aunt Opie joking with him about something. I can see Virgil and Burnie showing him "the ropes" and all of the others greeting him also: Grannie and Grandpa, the Aunts and Uncles, Opie Ruth, Ethie Ruth, Buddy, Cora Joyce, Floyd Edward, Jack, Junior, Richard and all of the others. My thoughts and prayers also go to Gene's children and grandchildren and his sisters and their families. May God comfort you all as only He can. Gene was such a wonderful person - intelligent, funny and caring. He is missed by all. Only the belief that he is now healthy and not suffering physically helps lessen the hurt of his passing along with our anticipation of meeting him again. I remember all of the big family gatherings when we were all kids. Many of these took place at Aunt Agnes"s and Uncle Floyd's house becaue Grannie was there. What fun those were, and Gene is rejoicing with them now. Until we meet you again Gene, Love Freida I I am so glad that Nancy and he were having a quiet evening at home when he passed. This was she does not have to wonder if she could somehow have prevented his going on if she has been there. I know Heaven rejoiced with his arrival."

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"Sorry that we are not there at your side for this day. Are love and prayers are with you every day and night. If you need any thing just give us a call. We love you all The Stage Family"