Roll Call Tribute

James R. "Ralph" Bullard 

June 10, 1938 - November 14, 2024 

Early on the morning of November 14, 2024, Ralph Bullard of Gainesville, TX walked out of the valley of the shadow of death and into the arms of his Lord and Savior. He was 86 years old.

A fifth-generation local resident, Ralph was born June 10, 1938, on the family farm in eastern Cooke County. His parents, Cecil and Reba Joyce (Thurman) Bullard, both were descended from families who fled to Texas in the wake of the War Between the States. Ralph grew up farming and working at the business his parents established, Bullard Feed Store on North Chestnut Street in Gainesville. He attended Robert E. Lee and J.M. Lindsay elementary schools, Gainesville Junior High and Gainesville High School, graduating in 1956 with 12 years of perfect attendance. He raised chickens by the thousands, along with cattle, sheep and hogs, was active in youth livestock competitions, and rode the downtown streets and county backroads on his horse, Nellie. He was highly successful in FFA, achieving the titles of Lone Star Farmer and American Farmer.

After two years at Gainesville Community College, where he earned an associate's degree, Ralph packed his bags for Texas A&M University in College Station. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Animal Husbandry, graduating from TAMC in 1960. Doing so, he established an Aggie dynasty that grew to include all three of his children, his daughter-in-law, three grandsons, two granddaughters-in-law — and counting.

Ralph returned to Gainesville and enlisted in the Army National Guard. When his unit was activated, he saw service in Missouri, California, and Louisiana, and was preparing for assignment to Germany when the unit was deactivated.

On April 22, 1962 — an Easter Sunday — Ralph married the love of his life, his sweetheart Mary Jo Saunders. The young couple entered a business partnership with his parents as co-owners/operators of the Dilly Dip Drive In, which served Gainesville until 1996. Ralph also managed and worked the family ranch, building a herd of registered Polled Herefords and acquiring a string of Palominos. He shared a life-long enjoyment of horses with his children, and later his grandchildren.

Ralph liked traveling and exploring American history. He took his family on road trips encompassing 46 of the continental states and Canada. Though they never "retired," Ralph and Mary Jo expanded their horizons in their golden years, traveling to the Holy Land and enjoying cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska.

Ralph was active in The Journey Church of Gainesville from its inception.

Surviving Ralph are his bride of more than 62 years, Mary Jo; children Dainah and Jeff Blalock of Cooke County, David and Nancy Bullard of Erath County, and Deanne and Jim Herckt of Fort Worth; grandchildren Kyle and Nicole Bullard of Waco, Daniel and Carly Bullard of La Porte, Indiana, Alissa Blalock of Cooke County, Luke and Abby Bullard of Benbrook, Samuel and Alex Blalock of Thackerville, OK, and Ainsley Blalock of Cooke County; great-grandson Baker Bullard of Waco and a great-granddaughter, expected in December; several cousins, two nieces, and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother J.C.

Pallbearers are his grandsons, Kyle, Daniel and Luke Bullard and Samuel Blalock, and sons-in-law Jeff Blalock and Jim Herckt.

The family will receive friends at Geo. J. Carroll & Son on Friday, November 22, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to The Journey Church of Gainesville, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, or Bible League International.