Earl Blassingame's Obituary
Earl Claud Blassingame passed away on July 17 at the age of 100. He was born in the Cone community, Crosby County, near Slaton, Texas on September 8, 1921 to Claud and Pearl Orrick Blassingame. He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Lila Lee West Blassingame.
Earl was a decorated career Army veteran of 27 years and served in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam (two tours of duty). In World War II, Earl served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy and was a member of Darby’s Rangers. He was one of the first Allied soldiers to enter Rome close to the end of the war.
As a sports-lover, Earl proudly competed in the Texas State Senior Games, the National Senior Games, as well as Masters competitions in the events of hammer throw, discus, javelin and shot put, not learning these skills until his early 80’s. Occasionally holding national records, he won over 125 gold, silver and bronze medals. Possessing a fun sense of humor, he was known to say, “I feel a song coming on,” and break into singing a jingle or a song of his own creation. He was especially proud of his poem, “Ode to a Chigger.”
He is survived by his two daughters, Carol Blassingame and Jere Blassingame Forman, his son-in-law, Bryan Forman, brother, John Wayne Blassingame, two grandsons, Kevin Forman and Steve Forman, Kevin’s wife Francine Forman and two great grandsons, Ryan Forman and Sean Forman, niece, Pamela Riley Rittenberry and numerous other nieces and nephews.
A memorial service, with full Army military honors, will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Wildwood Chapel in Restland Memorial Park. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations, in Earls' name. may be made to Wounded Warriors.
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