Lt. Col. Bruce Ray Blincow (Ret.)

Bruce Ray Blincow, 84, of Oklahoma City, experienced a great life on earth until medical issues intervened. He entered his heavenly home on January 30, 2025. Bruce grew up in Loup City, NE and participated in track, football, basketball and band in high school. He received a BA degree from University of Nebraska, Lincoln, ( Husker) and later a MBA degree from UCO. He met his former wife, Tasa Graefe, while at NU. She died in 1989 after battling cancer. They had two daughters, Tasa and Catherine. Bruce met Jane Aiken Atchley, the love of his life, in 1991. They were married in 1993, (32 years.) They enjoyed many travels to Europe and other locations as well as traveling occasionally with 25 immediate family members. Bruce was the patriarch of a well blended family!

Bruce’s military experience in the USAF was interesting. Among his adventures, he served in Newfoundland and the Pentagon as well as several military bases in the US. He served as senior director of weapons of the Aerospace Defense. He was also on a team for a new automated air defense systems. Bruce served as branch chief of weapons control at BUIC and SAGE where he learned software development and operations with this assignment. He was a decorated veteran.

After leaving active duty in 1979, Bruce stayed in the Air Force Reserve and became a computer programmer at Tinker AFB. He worked as a manager on configuration and special projects as well. Completing retirement from USAFR as Lieutenant Colonel and civil service at the age of 55, he and Jane did everything together as she retired at the same time.

Bruce’s hobbies included their 8 grandchildren’s events, (both witnessed each child’s birth,) running, family gatherings, woodworking, antiques and clocks, (especially grandfather clocks which he bought new and those he built) He enjoyed gardening, men’s neighborhood coffee group, bridge group with Jane, Men’s Dinner Club of OKC, and churches where he served as trustee, deacon and children’s Sunday School teacher.

Family members include daughters and son, Tasa Blincow Barnett, Catherine Blincow Cheek,( Jeff), Andrea Atchley Deeds,( Mark) Ron Atchley, (Danielle), grand children-Ashton Magness,(Bryce), Mitchell Howe, Elise Barnett, Christina Barnett, Derek Deeds, ( Kaitlyn) Dylan Deeds, ( Dr. Abby) Kylie Deeds,( Ben-fiancé ), Jackson Atchley and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by loving parents, Mary and Harlan Blincow, sister and brother, Dr. Annabelle Blincow Zikmund, and Roger Blincow.

Celebration of his life will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.

“Bruce fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”