Gerald Blakely Obituary

February 21, 1951 - December 13, 2011

Gerald Lee Blakely died Dec. 13, 2011, at his home near Clifton. For the past two years, Gerald faced cancer with unbelievable courage, grace and faith. Memorial service was 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Clifton Funeral Home Chapel.

Gerald Lee Blakely was born Feb. 21, 1951, in Dallas, to Henson Lee and Neva Blakely. He attended Richardson High School and lived most of his life in Bosque County. He was a business owner, worked in construction and was an artist. He was affiliated with the Baptist Church. On Aug. 15, 1992, he married Beth Anderson in Cranfills Gap, Texas.

Gerald's public activities included assisting Boy Scouts in Iredell, assisting the Clifton 4-H Archery program, board member of Clifton Archery Club, guest speaker and helper with hunter education courses.

His hobbies/passions were family, friends, hunting, metal art, bowhunting, and cooking. In March of 2011, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of harvesting buffalo with a recurve bow. His last family hunt was November of 2011.

Gerald was honorable, gentle, non-judgemental, and gave unconditional love. His favorite times in life were spent at home with family and friends sitting out on the patio with him cooking his special recipe of ribs and brisket and venison. He also loved the fun and fellowship of deer camp.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henson Blakely.

Survivors include his wife, Beth of Clifton; daughter, Michelle Webb and husband, Tom, and children, Caleb, Colt and Wyatt of Jasper; son, John Blakely and wife, Candis, and children, Sarah, Emma and Jacob of Madisonville; bonus son, Anthony Anderson and wife, Lori, and children, Tyler, Toby, and Trace of Jonesboro; bonus son, Brian Anderson and wife, Jessica, and children, Bailey, Corbin, Kinley, and Canyon of Eddy; mother, Neva Blakely of Clifton; brother, Charles Blakely of Walnut Springs; niece, Shauna Lane and husband, Nored, and children, Cassidy and Seth of Ralls; and numerous family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to American Hospice would be appreciated.