Jack J. Bledsoe

Jack J. Bledsoe, 87, of Fordyce, died August 28, 2011. A Southern Baptist Minister, Mr. Bledsoe was born in Benton, Arkansas on November 10, 1923 and graduated from Benton High School in 1941. He received a BA Degree from Ouachita Baptist University in 1952 and a language BD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII seeing combat in the Philippines. He was an Electricians Mate. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as an Infantry Officer assigned to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He was active in the Missions Outreach of First Baptist Church of Camden, in the beginning of what is now Calvary Baptist Church of East Camden, and Eagle Mills Baptist Church of Eagle Mills. He was licensed and ordained by the First Baptist Church of Camden and has pastored churches in Arkansas and Texas. He was a pastor of Memorial Baptist Church of Waldo, First Baptist Church of Danville, Second Baptist Church of Monticello, First Baptist Church of Marianna, and First Baptist Church of Des Arc. He has served numerous churches in Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama. His last active service was as Director of Missions for Carey Baptist Association until his retirement in 1994. He was honored by Carey Association as Emeritus Director upon his retirement. He was active in denominational activities among Southern Baptists during his lifetime serving as Trustee for Ouachita University for six years and as a trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for eight years. Among Arkansas Baptists he served several terms on the Executive Board and filled numerous committee positions. He made volunteer mission trips to Brazil, Guatemala, and Australia. He is survived by his wife Myrta Ann Thomasson Bledsoe of Fordyce, two sons, Floyd Eugene Bledsoe and Robert Earl Bledsoe both of Malvern; two brothers, Leon Bledsoe of Camden and Bobby Bledsoe of Bossier City, La.; one sister, Della Franklin of Olive Branch Mississippi; two grandchildren, Georgeann Bledsoe Dye of Colt, Arkansas and Jack Hinkle Bledsoe of Moro, Arkansas, two great-grandchildren, Chloe Elizabeth Bledsoe of Moro, Arkansas and Graydon Dye of Colt, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Jackson Bledsoe and Lovie M. Lewis Bledsoe; brother, Howard Bledsoe; and sister, Catherine Bledsoe Hurt. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Phillips, Rev. Mark Wheeler, and Rev. Jimmy Owens officiating. Burial will be at Wheeler Cemetery near Fordyce. Visitation is Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.