Arthur Lee "Buddy" Blevins

Arthur Lee Blevins, better known as “Buddy”, came into this world on January 21, 1951, and entered into God’s kingdom on October 31, 2025. Buddy was born in Coal County, Oklahoma, the eleventh of twelve children, to Willie and Effie Mae Blevins. Buddy attended school in Tupelo, Oklahoma. In his high school years, he was the catcher for the Tupelo Tigers baseball team, and the wing guard for the Tigers basketball team. Buddy graduated from Tupelo High School in May 1969, and for the remainder of that year, he worked various blue collar jobs, including the trade that would become his career and livelihood - roofing. Buddy enlisted in the United States Army in January 1970. He was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for basic training and after graduating from boot camp and additional military occupation training, Buddy arrived in Vietnam on August 1, 1970. Buddy served in the Army’s Helicopter Corps as a Battalion Comms NCO. He was tasked with operating, maintaining, and keeping an inventory of helicopter radio communication equipment. While in Vietnam, Buddy was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Buddy left Vietnam on August 1, 1971, and was sent to Ft Sill, Oklahoma. The Army soon transferred Buddy to the Army Reserve, and he was honorably discharged in January 1972. In 1973, Buddy enrolled at Oklahoma State University. He earned a Bachelor’s in Science. During his college years, Buddy got back into roofing. It was also during these years that Buddy welcomed his first child into the world. A son, he named Jeremiah Levi Blevins. In the late 1970s, at the height of the Oklahoma Oil Boom, Buddy moved to the town that became his home, Enid. He worked for J.S. Well Service as a tool salesman. It was through his work for this company that Buddy met the love of his life, a pretty young woman named Barbara Gannon. Buddy and Barbara married on September 6, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They brought four children into this world. Judson in 1981, Holly in 1982, Jessica in 1986, and Dustin in 1988. When the oil boom went bust, Buddy went back into roofing, and in the late 1980s, Buddy started a roofing company he named, “Great Plains Roofing”. Throughout his years in roofing, Buddy employed many of his nephews and cousins. Buddy of course put his three sons, Jeremy, Judd, and Dusty to work, and even his daughters Holly and Jessica worked on a few homes. Buddy always took pride in his work, and would never accept anything less in his employees. In return, Buddy always paid them on time, and often said, “A working man deserves every dollar he earns.” Buddy’s children attended schools at Kremlin-Hillsdale, and Buddy served as a youth coach for baseball and basketball teams, and served for a time on the KHS School Board. Buddy, and his family were members of Kremlin Community United Methodist Church, and Buddy served his church in various roles, from serving on boards, to serving meals, to teaching Sunday School classes, to personally installing the church roof, a cedar wood shake roof, that lasted over 30 years. Buddy enjoyed fishing, hunting for quails and pheasants, but most of all, spending time in a quiet deer stand, waiting for that elusive buck. Buddy loved to garden. Every year, he planted tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, strawberries, green beans, onions, and squash. Buddy also loved dogs. Lizzie and Boz greeted Buddy when he arrived at Heaven’s gate, and one day, he’ll welcome Ruby and Boogies. He loved watching baseball, especially the Boston Red Sox. He loved watching the Oklahoma City Thunder. He loved watching Oklahoma beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl. He loved watching his alma mater, the Oklahoma State Cowboys succeed in all sports, but when his youngest son, Dustin, enrolled at OU, his love for his family outweighed his love for his school, and Buddy finally, much to his wife’s joy, rooted for the Sooners. Buddy enjoyed listening to old timey country and western music and classic rock. He enjoyed too many country singers to name a favorite, but his favorite rock band was The Doors. Buddy was known to many as a joyful and caring man, a man who could be counted on to help when called, and a man who never lost his temper. Buddy loved his children, and each one of us inherited a part of him. Jeremy, the mirror image of him. Judd, the work ethic. Holly, the determination. Jessica, the joyful spirit, and Dustin, the discipline. Buddy loved his grandchildren. His granddaughter Harper, was the joy of his golden years, and he loved attending her softball and basketball games. He loved his grandsons dearly. Teddy, Hollen, and little Beau. He taught Teddy how to hunt squirrels and taught Hollen how to widdle sticks. And in the time Buddy had with them, he taught them how to become men. More than anyone else, Buddy loved his beautiful wife Barbara. There was no limit to what he would sacrifice for her and he strived everyday to provide for her. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother in law, Ivan and Naomi Gannon, his nine sisters, and his two brothers. Buddy is survived by his wife Barbara of their home in Enid. His son Jeremy, and granddaughter, Taylor, of Azle,Texas. His son Judd of Enid. His daughter Holly and her children, Harper, Teddy, and Hollen of Alva. His daughter Jessica Aebi, and son in law Chase Aebi of Enid. His son Dustin, and daughter in law Samantha, and their son Beau, of Seattle, Washington. And numerous nephews and nieces.

Arthur Lee "Buddy" Blevins

January 21, 1951 - October 31, 2025