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BORN
1940
DIED
2011
Raymond Bladdick Obituary
Raymond F. Bladdick, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed on from this earthly life on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by family. He was born a leap year baby on February 29, 1940, in St. Louis, the son of Sophia and John Poluski (stepfather) and Felix Bladdick.
Ray was known for his antics and athletics while attending St. Louis Public Schools. He graduated from O'Fallon Tech High School in 1959.
He married Joann Pohl on June 8, 1959. Together they raised nine children and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009 with friends and family.
Ray's vocation was firefighting. This was not a job for him, but a calling. Ray retired from the Kirkwood Fire Department in 1998 as a Captain. After retiring, he and Joann moved to Mountain Home, AR, to pursue his other passion: fishing.
While in Mountain Home, he was an active member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. He was often found volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army or modeling in the Council of Catholic Women's fashion show. -- of course, in drag. Shenanigans like this often had Fr. Wood commenting that he was going to give him "another punch of the purgatory card".
An ideal day for Ray was reading the paper, catching crappie, doing his crossword puzzle, picking his tomatoes, spending time with his grandchildren, and listening or watching a Cardinals game. When his health took a turn for the worse, he and Joann returned to St. Louis in 2008 to be near family.
Ray will always be remembered for his quick wit, crazy antics, and twisted sense of humor which many of his children and grandchildren have inherited.
Survivors include his wife, Joann, his sons, Dale (Kim), Steve (Lori), Jerry (Mark Bolton), and Tom all of St. Louis; Jeff (Shelly) of Springdale, AR; and Dan (Meredith) of Atlanta, GA; and his daughters, Theresa (David) Nikolaus, Kathy (Dave) Bruno, and Patti (Jim) Crosswhite, and his siblings John, Mary, and his beloved sister, Myra Theresa, and cousins Midge and Lenora. Surviving grandchildren include Aaron, Ryan, Heather, Holly, Eric, Ally, Stephanie, Patrick, Sarah, Jacob, Jacquelyn, Hunter, Andrew, Jordan, Quinton, and his adored Sophia Rose. Surviving great grandchildren include Layla, Aidan, and Alyssa. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepfather, and infant granddaughter Faith.
Ray touched the lives of many people with his generosity and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 14 from 3- 9 p.m. at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY. Funeral from KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. (at Butler Hill), Monday, August 15, at 9:00 a.m. to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to the St. Louis County Fire Academy/Ray Bladdick Scholarship for the education of future fire fighters. Donations can be sent to the St. Louis County Fire Academy, 1266 Sutter Avenue, Wellston, MO, 63133. Attention: Betty Stoecklin
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Bladdick
August 27, 2011
Grandpa will be forever missed by many but especially me. My dance partner, my "stalker", my funny, amazing, grandpa will always be with me. I can still hear his laugh and see his smile with the gap in his teeth when he'd say my name. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh, and for keeping me laughing forever.
Love always,
Stephaniezer
Carrie (Battelle)/Walker
August 20, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bladdick family during this difficult time. I will never forget how fun it was to call your house as a kid and spend the first 5 minutes saying "hello" "hello" to Ray. My mom and dad will miss him dearly, Aloha, Carrie
St. John's Senior Unit
August 17, 2011
Ray was a great joy to be around. We will definitely miss his humor and the many jokes he played on our staff. It was a pleasure meeting all of you and our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Bladdick family.
August 16, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Bladdick family for your loss. We are friends of Dale and Kim, we have had a few losses ourselves this year so we have seen Dale alot recently. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Dan and Colleen Rich, Arnold, MO
Mark Bolton
August 16, 2011
Ray, I will miss you and chuckle when I think of you. It was a great ride and I will miss you deeply? Mark Edward
Andrew & Jamie Colombini
August 14, 2011
Mrs. Bladdick, Bo and the Bladdick Family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your husband and father.
August 14, 2011
We are truely sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayer go out to your family in your time of sorrow and heartache.
The Simpson Family, Scott, Deena, Brendan and Kyle
Suzanne DeKold-Engbert
August 13, 2011
Dear Bladdick Family, Please except my deepest sympathy on the loss of Ray! Ray and I worked together at the old Liberty Supermarket. Ray was like a ray of sunshine when he entered the room,always a kind word, a smile and just a very Great Person! May you all be comforted to know that Ray is indeed at a much better place. He is gone, but will never be forgotten. The world is a much better place indeed for having had Ray in it. Thanks so much for sharing your great husband,dad,grandpa,and great-grandpa, Blessings to ALL!!!!! Suzanne
Fritzie & Mel Hawkins
August 13, 2011
We offer our sincerest sympathy, and we pray for comfort to the family and all who loved Ray. We continue to pray that our Lord above grant each of you the peace and comfort that only God can give. May He bless you always.
August 13, 2011
Mrs. Bladdick, Bo, Jerry and the extended
Bladdick Family,
Deepest sympathy on the loss of your cherished husband and father. May the memories of your father's delightful antics help relieve the pain and bring some peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Mrs. C. (Judy Colombini) Fenton, Mo.
W Daniels and Family
August 13, 2011
We offer our deepest condolences to the Bladdick family. May "the God of all comfort," and your dear memories help you through this difficult time.
Tim Handrahan
August 12, 2011
Captain Ray: You always treated me like a son even as you had several sons of your own. I will never forget that or you.
SB
August 12, 2011
You were not only my dad--you were my best friend, my wing man, my fishing partner, my brother in the fire service ....and my hero. Love, Bo
Chris Colombini
August 12, 2011
Mrs. Bladdick, Bo, and all of the Bladdick family,
My deepest condolences,my prayers go out to the immediate, and extended Bladdick family. I will always cherish the thoughts of Ray, and the awesome times spent together with his family. I was always welcomed with open arms, and smiles.
SGT. Christopher Colombini
Horse Detachment
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Fort Irwin, CA
LB
August 12, 2011
What will I do without my "partner in crime?"
I miss you, Dad. Love, Lorelei
LB
August 12, 2011
What will I do without my "partner in crime?" I miss you, Dad.
Love Always,
Lorelei
Judy Brumfield
August 12, 2011
I know that I can’t fix the pain you all feel, Just know that I feel for you, That I’m thinking of you, And that I’d do anything for you. I have great memories and lots of laughter when I think of your dad, husband, grandfather, friend as I know you all do.I hope that those memories will bring you comfort as they do for me.
Patti Crosswhite
August 12, 2011
What a privilege to be his daughter and an honor for my sons to have had such a wonderful man as a grandfather.
Wishing we had more time...all my love forever and always Cow
Carla Patrick
August 12, 2011
We will forever hear Ray's laughter in our hearts. He was were one of the great role models of leadership and fatherhood. His spirit will live on the smiles and heart of his children and grandchildren.
J B
August 12, 2011
I only hope I am half the man you were dad...love ya forever...Frank
Ron & Darlene Pohl
August 12, 2011
May the love of God surround you during this time of sorrow.You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Bruno
August 12, 2011
Goodbye Dad! You are the best Dad any child could have! I will think of you everyday of the rest of my life until I meet you again! Love you always and forever! Your daughter, Gidget.
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