Obituaries for Tues., April 1, 2014

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014

BOBBY BLEDSOE

Bobby Larkin Bledsoe, 77, of Niceville, Fla., beloved husband, father, papa and friend to many, crossed the threshold of Heaven on Sat., March 29, 2014.

He passed away in his home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born on Aug. 17, 1936, in Andalusia to the late Florrie J. Brooks and Furber Bledsoe. He married Betty Jean Bass of Winnsboro, S.C., on Aug. 26, 1956, in Winnsboro.

He graduated from Andalusia High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He proudly served in the USMC from Feb. 25, 1954, to Feb. 24, 1957. Upon leaving the USMC, he moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., with his wife, Betty, and young daughter, Pamela. He worked for Baker Equipment in St. Petersburg, and then opened his own business, B & K Equipment, where he designed his own lifts, brakes and other equipment to convert vans to become handicapped accessible. This was a source of great pride and joy to him. In 1977, they moved to Niceville. He opened his own business, Bledsoe’s Appliance Repair, and then went to work for Okaloosa County as a building official. He retired from there in 1997.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter for many years. Being in the woods brought a lot of joy to him and he reveled in spending many days on the open water fishing. He was also a handyman extraordinaire and could repair anything and loved to tinker in his shop and bring his ideas to completion through carpentry, welding and mechanics.

He has been a long-time member of Rosemont Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents and half-brother, John Bledsoe.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty Bledsoe, of the family home in Niceville; his daughter. Pamela Bledsoe Grover and husband Brian of Mountain Home, Ariz.; grandchildren, Bobby Orr of Niceville, Kristi Elsberry and husband Brandon of New Bern, N.C., Shawn Orr and Dawn Knight of Milton, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Connor and Emma Elsberry of New Bern, N.C., and Zackary and Kadence Orr of Milton; and sisters, Betty Bass and Mary Glass of Andalusia.

Arrangements are being handled by Heritage Gardens Funeral Home in Niceville. There will be a visitation at Heritage Gardens, 2201 N. Partin Drive, Niceville, Fla., on Thurs., April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. A service will be held at Rosemont Baptist Church at the Corner of 27th and Pine Street in Niceville on Fri., April 4, at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Doug Fannon officiating.

To the Old Rugged Cross, I will ever be true

It’s shame and reproach, gladly bear

Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away

Where His glory forever I’ll share