Ray "Buddy" Blackmon

This story began on Tuesday, April 25, 1939 in Hempstead, TX, when the late Willie and Mable Blackmon were blessed with their third child of five, a son they named Ray Charles, known to many as "Buddy" or "Lil Bud". As a youth he attended public school and graduated from Sam Schwartz High School. While there he played football, which he loved. Buddy accepted Christ at an early age attending Rock Island Church in Hempstead. In his early 20's, he married but later divorced Mazie Webster, to whom two sons were born, Jeffrey and Blakely;( Blakely precedes him in death).

While working over 20 years as a machinist for Glenco, Buddy met his future wife, Pat. In his career, Buddy touched the lives and hearts of countless people, including his then supervisor. After a mass lay-off, his old supervisor thought so highly of Buddy, that he telephoned him to inform about another machine shop (Valco) that was hiring. He was recommended for the position and worked at Valco for 19 years before retiring in 2012.

Bud and Pat were together 23 years before he made her a honest woman in 2004, from this union a daughter was born, Marquita. Not only did he love his wife, but loved and accepted Dyshan, Pat's son, as his own. He often displayed the image of a real man by expressing compassion, patience, giving, and love.

On Monday, October 12, 2015, Buddy transitioned to his eternal home and left an impressionable legacy for all the lives he touched and changed throughout his journey. He kept the faith, fought a good fight, finished the course, and now he has received his crown of righteousness.

His precious memories will be cherished by his devoted and loving wife, Patricia; children: Jeffrey, Marquita, Dyshan (Lillie); sister, Lois Gordon (Bennie) grandchilden: Yvette (Marques), Nikcole, David, Nichele, Filisha, Phillece, Brittany, Ciera, Jakeah, Dyshan; daughter-in-law, Michelle Gailliard; nine great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.

The the family would like to express special thanks to Lois and Bennie Gordon and to Faye Ragston Jackson.