Joe H. Blaylock

Joe H. Blaylock, 93, of Moundridge, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 at his home. He was born January 22, 1927 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the son of Willis H. and Pearl Lee (Rogers) Blaylock. He went to school in a one room schoolhouse that his father helped build, and Joe was proud of that fact. He attended school until the 8th grade, when he stopped to help with the family farm and to go out on his own, making a living. He worked many jobs including coal mining, and some lead mining around the Pitcher, Oklahoma area. Joe served in the United States Army as a tractor mechanic for the 485th Engineer Heavy Shop Company from 1945 to 1946. He attained the rank of technician 5th grade. During his time in the Army, Joe received the World War II Victory Medal and was part of the last regiment of the Horse Calvary. While in the Army, he attended horsemanship schooling and saddlers school. After training, Joe was deployed to Europe as a Jeep driver. He was proud of the fact that he named his Jeep (with a Ford motor), the Thunderbird. This was many years before Ford came out with the Thunderbird model. While in Germany, he also assisted in building, at the time, the world’s largest mess hall in Bremerhaven. After the military, he married Leanna May Porter. They had five children together. After Leanna’s mother was killed in a tragic car accident, they took on raising several of her siblings. Leanna passed away on April 3, 1999. Joe later married Verna Mae Stucky in Moundridge, on September 3, 2010. He spent much of his life as an auto mechanic, working for many dealerships around the Abilene area. He was considered the best of the best when it came to working on cars. In the early 70’s, Joe worked at The Bradbury Company, where he was a lathe shop supervisor for many years, eventually becoming the only maintenance man for the growing company. He retired after 23 years where he made lasting friendships and wonderful memories. Joe loved fishing, camping and hunting. Family was very important to him and his favorite past time was sitting on the front porch of his parents’ house reminiscing and telling stories. Joe is survived by his wife, Verna of Moundridge; daughter, Jo (Robert) Corder of Moundridge; sons, Willis (Donna) Blaylock of Moundridge, Kenneth (Sandra) Blaylock of Yale, Oklahoma, Dennis (Diane) Blaylock of Newton, Timothy (Mellisa) Blaylock of Moundridge, and Mark (Lisa) Stucky of Portland, Michigan; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Billy Blaylock of McCurtain, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leanna; parents, Willis and Pearl Blaylock; sister, Dixie Coffey; brothers, Jim and Doyle Blaylock; and grandson, Daniel Blaylock. Private family services will be held at Mound Township Cemetery, Moundridge, Kansas. Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Blaylock from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at Moundridge Funeral Home. Family will not be present. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Joe H. Blaylock

January 22, 1927 - October 29, 2020