Ira I. Bledsoe Jr, 89, of Richmond, went to be with his Lord October 17, 2011.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years; Reda Bledsoe, his son; Jonathan Rhett Bledsoe, daughter; LaRae St. John and her husband Melvin, 5 grandchildren; Gene, Ashley, Luke, Josh and Doug, and his three brothers; Dr. Francis Bledsoe and wife Mitzi, Roger Bledsoe, all of Greenville, S.C., John Bledsoe and wife Gladys, of Charleston, SC.

Ira was a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, SC, and received his Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, he worked toward his doctorate degree at Louisville Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. He was a Minister of Education at several places including Second Baptist in Knoxville, TN.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am, on Thursday, October 20, at Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Road, Richmond, VA 23235.
The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial services at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the:
        International Mission Board
        2323 Rocky Point Pkwy
        Henrico, VA 23238