Ross Bleakley
August 28, 1937 — June 10, 2018
Ross Bleakley
Ross Bleakley, 80, of North Little Rock, passed away at home on June 10, 2018.
Ross was born in Newkirk, Okla. to Samuel and Mary L. Bleakley on Aug. 28, 1937.
He moved to North Little Rock, Ark. as a young boy and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1955. On Aug. 23, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart and forever best friend, Mary A. McDaniel.
A veteran of the Vietnam and Korean War, Ross served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Senior Master Sgt. in 1976. Ross Bleakley was a courageous and loyal airman and was awarded The Air Force Commendation Medal for his work as a Minuteman. He was also an active member of The American Legion.
Ross was a loving husband to his wife, proud father to his children, and doting Poppy to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a devoted family man.
Ross was a passionate storyteller, avid coffee drinker, expert Dr. Mario gamer, and one-liner extraordinaire. He was notoriously opinionated, profoundly wise, famously stubborn and generous to a fault.
Words cannot describe the impact Ross had on the lives he touched or how dearly he will be missed. His stories and trademark "Bleakley Face" will continue to live on through family and friends.
Ross Bleakley is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Glen and Melinda Bleakley; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Chuck Koehler; brother, Dial Bleakley; six grandchildren, Samantha, Bailey, Nick, Robbie, Mackenzie and Taylor; and four great-grandchildren, Ross, Aubrey, Riley and Zane.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary A. Bleakley, parents, Samuel and Mary L. Bleakley, and sister, Lois Merklinger.
Visitation will be Monday, June 18, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 N. Main St., North Little Rock, Ark.
Funeral services will promptly begin at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Charlie Winters of Cedar Heights Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., Sherwood, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ross Bleakley to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Ross was born in Newkirk, Okla. to Samuel and Mary L. Bleakley on Aug. 28, 1937.
He moved to North Little Rock, Ark. as a young boy and graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1955. On Aug. 23, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart and forever best friend, Mary A. McDaniel.
A veteran of the Vietnam and Korean War, Ross served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a Senior Master Sgt. in 1976. Ross Bleakley was a courageous and loyal airman and was awarded The Air Force Commendation Medal for his work as a Minuteman. He was also an active member of The American Legion.
Ross was a loving husband to his wife, proud father to his children, and doting Poppy to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will always be remembered as a devoted family man.
Ross was a passionate storyteller, avid coffee drinker, expert Dr. Mario gamer, and one-liner extraordinaire. He was notoriously opinionated, profoundly wise, famously stubborn and generous to a fault.
Words cannot describe the impact Ross had on the lives he touched or how dearly he will be missed. His stories and trademark "Bleakley Face" will continue to live on through family and friends.
Ross Bleakley is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Glen and Melinda Bleakley; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Chuck Koehler; brother, Dial Bleakley; six grandchildren, Samantha, Bailey, Nick, Robbie, Mackenzie and Taylor; and four great-grandchildren, Ross, Aubrey, Riley and Zane.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary A. Bleakley, parents, Samuel and Mary L. Bleakley, and sister, Lois Merklinger.
Visitation will be Monday, June 18, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 N. Main St., North Little Rock, Ark.
Funeral services will promptly begin at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Charlie Winters of Cedar Heights Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., Sherwood, Ark.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ross Bleakley to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Cemetery Details
Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery
1501 W Maryland Ave.
North Little Rock, AR, 72120
North Little Rock, AR, 72120
Visitation
JUN 18. 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home
1921 Main Street
North Little Rock, AR, US, 72114
Funeral Service
JUN 18. 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home
1921 Main Street
North Little Rock, AR, US, 72114
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ross Bleakley, please visit our flower store.
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