Captain Blount, Jr.

United States Navy (Ret)

Waynesville - Captain Thomas E. Blount, Jr., age 73, passed away on Wednesday, July 19 at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A native of Melbourne, Florida, he was the son the late Thomas Edward Blount Sr. and Anna Drayton Bell Blount.

Captain Thomas E. Blount, Jr., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1966. From June 1966 to June 1996 Tom served his country. He fought in Vietnam in blue and brown water, commanded individual ships and retired from the position of Chief of Staff to Commander, Carrier Group Six/Commander, AMERICA Battlegroup.

Captain Blount's personal awards include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star in lieu of fourth award, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon and various service medals and unit awards.

After his military career, he worked in logistics for the private sector. He had a passion for not only his beloved country, but was a car enthusiast (especially Corvettes), a champion road racer, RC airplane pilot, golfer, and pickle ball player.

He came to call the mountains of WNC home, where he met the love of his life, Sherry. Captain Blount is survived by his wife, Sharon "Sherry" Linton Blount; a son, Matt Livingston and his wife, Kathryn, of Columbus, Ohio; one brother, Michael Blount and wife, Beth, of Chesapeake, Virginia; two grandchildren, Jackson and Samantha Livingston; nephews, Drayton and Sean Blount; and "PK" his fur friend. He was preceded in death by his parents; and previous wife, Robin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23 at the Wells Events & Reception Center on N. Main Street in Waynesville. Later interment will be held at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with full military honors.