MS HR6

Chief Leroy "Butch" Embrey Bledsoe Jr. passed away on March 16, 2025, at age 77, having been born July 26, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee

Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army with the 611th artillery attached to the 4/21 infantry as a Forward Observer/Radio Transmission Operator, earning a Bronze Star

Began firefighting career as a volunteer at Southaven Fire Department in the early 1970s, became an instructor at the Mississippi State Fire Academy in 1978, and was among the earliest instructors at that institution

Served the Shelby County, Tennessee Fire Department for 17 years before retiring as Lieutenant, while simultaneously serving as part-time Fire Chief for Horn Lake Fire Department before becoming full-time Fire Chief

Continued serving as Assistant Chief for the Wyatte-Chulahoma Volunteer Fire Department until his death, survived by wife Geraldine, son Trey, daughter Wendy, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild