George Bledsoe

George Bledsoe passed away on February 8, 2006 in San Antonio. He was born in San Antonio on August 24, 1922 to parents George P. and Dora J. Bledsoe. After graduating from Brackenridge High School, he attended Baylor University for one year. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and went through pilot training. He served as First Pilot on B-24 heavy bombers with the Eighth Air Force in Europe during World War II. During that time, he flew 32 combat missions and was decorated with the "Distinguished Flying Cross" twice. He also won the "Air Medal", with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Upon completing his service, Captain Bledsoe returned to his education and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with the B.Mus. degree, Cum Laude in 1951.

He was also a member of the San Antonio Symphony for three seasons as a member of the trumpet section. It was there that he met his wife, Betty, a violinist in the orchestra. They were married on May 27, 1951. After further graduate work at the University of Texas, he began a 31 year career as a Band and Orchestra Director in the public schools of Texas and California. He was a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and was the "Honor Orchestra Director" of the T.M.E.A. in 1980. Honorary music fraternities to which he belonged were Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He was the guest of honor at a reunion of the Amarillo Palo Duro High School Band and Orchestra in November, 2005, highlighting the years from 1955-1968 when he served as director. Mr. Bledsoe was a member of Laurel Heights United Methodist Church.

He is survived by Betty Bledsoe, his wife of 54 years; cousin, Dwayne West of Lubbock; cousin, Mrs. Bettye Jo Wiley of Ft. Worth; niece, Betsy Hamilton of Bryan; and niece, Suzanne Smith of Woodlands.