Thomas Bailey Bledsoe

Thomas Bailey Bledsoe who was born July 4, 1937 in Upshur County, passed away Friday, February 3, 2017 at Longview Regional Medical Center.
Tommy as he was always called was born to Anna Laura Quinn and Tom C. Bledsoe. He was married to the love of his life, Peggy Vick Bledsoe for 57 years. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; two sons, Frank Bledsoe and wife Shelia, and Steve Bledsoe and wife Ellen both of Gilmer; three grandchildren, Hannah, Haley, and Zach Bledsoe; step-grandchildren, Landon and Brannon Petrick, and two little ones Blevin and Laiken Petrick that were a pleasure to him. His family which called him Pops, meant everything to him as well as his passion for his black cows, fire department and fire related services. Of which he was past president of the State Firemen and Fire Marshalls Association of Texas in 1987. He was also an employee of Lone Star Steel for 33 years and retired as Fire Chief there.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Robert Quinn Bledsoe.
Tommy was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church. A member of The New Beginnings Sunday School Class and Methodist Men, that he so enjoyed being a part of. You could always find him in the kitchen when they had their annual chili supper and pancake days joking and arguing with his cooking partners.
His favorite pastime was getting up at 5:30 A.M. and going to the Dairy Queen at 6:00 A.M. for coffee with his early morning friends.
Tommy leaves behind a family that is going to miss him and will cherish all the wonderful memories we shared for so long.
Services will be held 11 A.M. Monday, February 6, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Gilmer with Reverend Richard Laster officiating, under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. No formal visitation will be held.
Pallbearers will be the Gilmer Fire Department and Honorary Pallbearers will be the Dairy Queen Coffee Bunch