Gary Joe Blakeney, Memorial

Gary was born on March 26, 1954, to Joe and Clona Blakeney in Groom, Texas. He was a graduate of Whitney High School in Whitney, Texas, and graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Masters of Divinity from Abilene Christian University, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Abilene Christian. 

He was pulpit minister for the Bertram Church of Christ for the past eight years. He began preaching in New Deal, Texas, as a newlywed and continued to be actively involved in ministry for the next 40 years in various Churches of Christ throughout the state of Texas. 

He served the community as a member of the Ministerial Alliance and was President of the Burnet Espirit De Corps band boosters. He was actively involved in Boy Scouts of America and was the Scout Master for two troops. 

Gary was a great supporter of singing schools, specifically the Foundation School of Church Music. He loved music and the way it glorifies God, uplifts, and edifies the church body. He was an avid genealogist and spent many vacations hunting down graveyards of deceased loved ones across the southern states of America. 

The highlight of each year for Gary was “Thanksmas,” and he invited everyone to join the celebration. He was known as Gary Joe to family and friends, as Pappaw to his precious grandchildren, as “Doc” to his beloved Scouts, and as “Fred” to Singing School friends. 

Gary was a passionate servant of the Word who emphasized daily Bible reading and was always glad to engage anyone willing to listen in a theological discussion. He never knew a stranger. Gary prioritized his life in this way: “Christ, mate, family, church ministry.” 

Gary will be missed by his family and friends, but his legacy of compassion and ministry will live on for generations.

Gary is survived by his wife, Robin Blakeney; his children Laura Cosper and her husband Andrew, Joseph Blakeney, Caleb Blakeney, and Sarah Willis and her husband Zachary. He is also survived by his father, Joe Blakeney, mother-in-law, Joyce Helen Waldrip, and his sisters, Sharon Ward and her husband Garry, and Janet Sanders; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tommy Aduddell, Roger and Jan Aduddell, and Teresa Hollis. Gary is also survived by his two precious grandchildren, Seth and Karsyn; as well as many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Clona Blakeney, fathers-in-law Robert Aduddell and Tommy Waldrip, and sister-in-law Cathy Aduddell.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all the relatives and friends for the many prayers, food, cards and messages of encouragement. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foundation School of Church Music via the Bertram Church of Christ, Bertram, Texas, Memo: Blakeney FSCM Scholarship.