Mr. Ted O. Blevins

Ted Odell Blevins was born February 21st 1940 to Horace Odell Blevins and Etta Louise Hensly-Blevins. Ted was the only son and shared many fond memories with his four sisters, Wanda Dunn, Peggy Weatherspoon, Janet VanDam, and Connie Blevins. Teds childhood friend and schoolmate Vivian Gentry became his beloved wife, they married on June, 20th 1958. Ted and Vivian began their family just one year after they married. Teds five children were his life; Karen, Sherry, Steven, Laura, and Sandra. Just as his childhood he was surrounded by woman, having his son Steven was sure a blessing. From Karen and Sherry’s messy room, to the “Sandra Kay, don’t talk so loud”, to Ted acting as a referee ,to many sisterly fights, the memories are priceless. Ted’s expanding family was such a joy to him. His son in laws Jim Gonzales, Jimmy Mitchell, Billy Rodari, and daughter in law Annette Blevins were welcomed with open arms. Papa Ted was loved by thirteen grandchildren; Jeff, Nick, Jamie, Alicia, Megan, Heather, Justin, Amanda, Drew, Brooke, Brandon, Sarah, and Katelyn, as well as seven and a half great grandchildren; Noah, Alexa, Nathan, Mikey, Julian, Braxton, Prestyn, and one on the way.

The other love of Ted’s life was farming, a passion of his for his entire life. Ted did custom farming for thirty years, and in the last five years of his life he farmed for Costa Farming. He even experienced his own fifteen minutes of fame, on a cotton picker for an ING commercial. Along with having a passion for farming, he sure knew how to let loose at the bowling alley. Ted loved his trips to bowling tournaments from Las Vegas to San Diego. He was sure proud of his perfect game, and the ring he received for it. As long as he had his family, farming, and friends, Ted was a happy man.

Ted moved his family to Sacramento , and many great friends and memories were created there. Saturday nights were card night and Ted and Vivian would go from house to house with the Ferguson’s, the Smith’s, and their brother and sister in law Leonard and Lillian. Ted loved having his son and his friends, ”the boys” over to play pool, he knew they would stay out of trouble this way, although this strategy didn’t work out so well for his daughters. Karen and Sherry got in a bit of trouble from dear ol’ dad when Karen convinced Sherry to go with her to visit a boy and stealing Dad’s truck to do so. Teds truck must have had a certain appeal to it, as Karen and Sherry weren’t the only ones to go for a joy ride. Ted gave permission to his sister in law Donna and a friend to use his truck in town one night. Thirty five miles outside of town, and a blown water pump Donna sure had some explaining to do. The reprimands never lasted long, and were usually followed with Teds signature saying “K hun.”

Ted was his families biggest fan. He never missed a single football game that his daughter Karen would cheer at. When his grandchildren came along Ted would take every opportunity to go to their baseball games, and he even sat through a couple of dance recitals. Getting his family together was something dear to his heart. Going out to dinner and getting people to try pickled cow tongue at Cuckoo Inn and convincing people that the rarer the meat the better. Sandra never got onto the rare meat trend, Ted would often say, “you might as well give her my shoe to eat” regarding her well done order.

Papa Ted was so proud of his grandchildren, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Sitting in “his” chair he would reach out and grab each of them as they ran out the back door to play and give them a big papa Ted hug. He made sure that his kids were taking good care of his grandkids, especially when it came to them eating. Laura was firmly instructed by her father to “give that baby a bottle, I can hear her belly from here.” His grandkids gave him advice just the same. During a trip to the Pixley auto parts, Jeffery was trying to get his Papa to pay attention to the John Deere tractors on the top shelf. After much effort Jeffery said “Papa, look at those damn tractors.” One area that Papa wouldn’t budge on was his view on the latest clothing trends. He would jokingly tell his granddaughters that they must not be able to afford the full pair of jeans, and that must be the reason for the holy jeans. He even went as far as instructing Viv to go and by Brooke some new jeans, cause hers had holes. Brooke informed her Papa that they were new and that’s how they were supposed to be. Great grandson Julian looked out from his papa, especially when he was sick. Just two weeks before Papa passed, Julian snuck papa some Oreos while watching the baseball game.

On their wedding day Ted asked the judge what he owed him for his services, and when the judged told him it was up to Ted, Ted asked if the Judge had change for fifty cents. Just two years ago Ted and Vivian celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and boy was it a party. After fifty years of marriage there was a lot to celebrate. Ted took the opportunity to dance with each of his daughters and many of his granddaughters. Over the fifty two years of marriage all Ted had to do was give “Viv” the look, and she knew just what he was thinking.

Ted was the pillar of strength to his family, and made each and every one of us feel special, in fact he was sure to tell each of us that we were his favorite. Even as he grew sick, his first priority was the love for his family. Even after his valve replacement in 2007, Ted was adamant in making stockings for EVERYONE that year. Ted, Dad, Papa, you are in our hearts and thoughts forever. We love you.

Arrangements under the direction of Delano Mortuary, Delano, CA.