Thomas H. Blount, a resident of the Cypress Glen Retirement Community and formerly Washington, NC passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012.
Thomas was born on November 27, 1916 to Thomas H. and Lulu J. Blount in Washington, NC and he truly loved it there. Until the day he died he could tell you the names of just about every building in town, who owned it and its entire history. As a youth he worked in many of those buildings, from the A & P Store to Sam Marsh’s Filling Station. He graduated from Washington High School in 1933. He entered North Carolina State University in 1936, graduating in 1940 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Army Commission as a 2nd Lt. Infantry Reserve. Shortly after beginning a career with General Electric Company, he received U.S. Army orders to report for Active Duty. He reported for Active Duty in December of 1941 and began a very busy career of building and operating Ordnance Plants in various locations around the United States, an effort that was critical to the country’s success in WWII. After the War he accepted a Civil Service Position as technical advisor to the Army Commanding Officer which took him to several other locations around the country. He continued to move up in responsibility and position as he worked with many government agencies. He retired on June 30, 1973 from Civil Service after more than 27 years of service. During that time he was associated with providing ammunition of all types covering military operations during WWII, the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam. Upon his retirement from the United States Army in 1976 he had acquired the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement, Thomas and his wife, Doris, returned to his beloved hometown and became very involved in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the American Red Cross and First Presbyterian Church. Thomas was devoted to his country, his family and his God. He will be greatly missed and always remembered with great love.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Doris of Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville, NC; daughters Sandra Blount of Glenview, Illinois; Susan Blount of Northbrook, Illinois; Mary Ann Ardan and husband Steve of Joliet, Illinois; sons Thomas Blount and wife Carol of New Bern, NC; John Blount and wife Beth of Apex, NC; stepdaughter Sandra Fenn and husband Thomas of Washington, NC; stepson Scott McAllister and wife Vickie of Cleveland, TN; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife Margaret, his parents, two sisters and one stepson.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 24 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Washington on Thursday, October 25 at 11:00 AM with burial following in Oakdale Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Blount family.