John Blaylock

John Ray Blaylock, 77, of Jackson passed away Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 12, 1929, in Osceola, Ark., son of Arlie and Lottie Mae MacMeans Blaylock. He and Eugenia Kolarz were married Feb. 10, 1952, in Chicago.

John was a medic four years with the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and served as usher/greeter many years. He was a member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

John was an avid golfer and sportsman all his life. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1949, and attended St. Louis College of Pharmacy. In 1956 he graduated from Century College of Medical Technology in Chicago.

Blaylock had been employed by both Jones and the former Finney's Drug Stores in the Southeast Missouri area, and later managed eight drug stores in the Chicago area for eight years. He then worked for Rexall Drug Co. as a representative and later for McKesson Robbins Drug Wholesalers as a sales representative.

The family moved to Jackson from Elmhurst, Ill., in 1969. He was then employed by Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1990.

Loving survivors include his wife; a son, John (Michelle) Blaylock Jr. of Hartselle, Ala.; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

When he was nine years old, he was preceded in death by his mother and infant sister, and later, his father and three sisters, Irma Lee Lois Blaylock, Verba Marie Sousan, and Mable Propst.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. An American Legion service will be held at 7, with parish prayers at 7:30, followed by the rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Monsignor Edward Eftink officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or Southeast Hospice.