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Blevins was reared in Eastland, east of Abilene, Texas, and ordained at his home church, the First Baptist Church of Eastland. He graduated from Baptist-affiliated Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene with [[Bible]] as his major. Then for three years, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in [[Fort Worth]], Texas. In 1960, he wed his childhood sweetheart, the former Betty Westfall (born August 10, 1939),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/betty-blevins/e61090324728|title=Betty Blevins|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>who studied art education at Hardin-Simmons and later became a regionally recognized artist.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/faith/2011-02-10/blevins-retires-after-more-half-century-working-ministry|title=Blevins retires after more than half a century of working in the ministry|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 10, 2011|author=Joe Gulick|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>

Blevins was reared in Eastland, east of Abilene, Texas, and ordained at his home church, the First Baptist Church of Eastland. He graduated from Baptist-affiliated Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene with [[Bible]] as his major. Then for three years, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in [[Fort Worth]], Texas. In 1960, he wed his childhood sweetheart, the former Betty Westfall (born August 10, 1939),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/betty-blevins/e61090324728|title=Betty Blevins|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>who studied art education at Hardin-Simmons and later became a regionally recognized artist.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/faith/2011-02-10/blevins-retires-after-more-half-century-working-ministry|title=Blevins retires after more than half a century of working in the ministry|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 10, 2011|author=Joe Gulick|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>

In 1959, Blevins accepted his first pastorate at the Johnson Chapel Baptist Church in Aspermont in Stonewall County while he was attending Hardin-Simmons. In October 1960, he became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Putnam in Callahan County thirty-two miles from Abilene.   At Putnam, he was first paid $40 per week and use of a parsonage. He was mostly in Fort Worth except for the weekends in Putnam, a 117-mile trip. From 1961 to 1964, while in seminary, he sold cameras at Leonard's Department Store in Fort Worth,<ref name=bio/> which in its heyday occupied eight city blocks and was sold in 1967 to the Tandy Company. A small museum commemorates the legendary store.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/12/16/through-the-lens-leonards-department-store-museum/|title=Through the Lens: Leonard's Department Store Museum|author=Mike Kinney|date=December 16, 2011|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>

In 1959, Blevins accepted his first pastorate at the Johnson Chapel Baptist Church in Aspermont in Stonewall County while he was attending Hardin-Simmons, from which he and his graduated in 1961. In October 1960, he became the part-time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Putnam in Callahan County thirty-two miles from Abilene. At Putnam, he was first paid $40 per week and had usage of a parsonage. He spent weekdays in Fort Worth with weekends in Putnam, a 117-mile trip. From 1961 to 1964, while in seminary, he sold cameras at Leonard's Department Store in Fort Worth,<ref name=bio/> which in its heyday occupied eight city blocks and was sold in 1967 to the Tandy Company. A small museum commemorates the legendary store.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/12/16/through-the-lens-leonards-department-store-museum/|title=Through the Lens: Leonard's Department Store Museum|author=Mike Kinney|date=December 16, 2011|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref>

After completing seminary, Blevins began his first full-time ministry at the First Baptist Church in Lueders in Jones County, fifteen miles from Stamford, where his wife's grandparents resided. After two years at Lueders, Blevins from 1966 to 1969 was the pastor of the Jackson Avenue Baptist Church of Lovington in Lea County in the southeastern corner of [[New Mexico]]. From 1970 to 1978, he was the pastor of the Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock. From 1979 to 1986, he was the pastor of the large Central Baptist Church in Bryan in Brazos County, Texas. Then, he returned to Lubbock to pastor Highlands,<ref name=bio/>at 4316 34th Street.<ref name=bio/>io/>

After completing seminary, Blevins began his first full-time ministry at the First Baptist Church in Lueders in Jones County, fifteen miles from Stamford, where his wife's grandparents resided. After two years at Lueders, Blevins from 1966 to 1969 was the pastor of the Jackson Avenue Baptist Church of Lovington in Lea County in the southeastern corner of [[New Mexico]]. From 1970 to 1978, he was the pastor of the Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock. From 1979 to 1986, he was the pastor of the large Central Baptist Church in Bryan in Brazos County, Texas. Then, he returned to Lubbock to pastor Highlands,<ref name=bio/>at 4316 34th Street.<ref name=bio/>io/>