THOMAS "TOM" M. BLOUNT

THOMAS "TOM" BLOUNT Cottonwood Falls Thomas "Tom" Blount, age 85, of Cottonwood Falls, died Thursday, July 17, 2008, at Via Christi-St. Francis in Wichita, KS. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 21, 2008, at 2:00 P.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls with Pastor David Parks, of Grace Lutheran Church in Strong City, officiating. Military honors will be conducted by a Fort Riley Honor Guard Detail. Cremation has taken place and the family will scatter his cremains at a later date. The son of Walter Lee and Ethel Leona Potter Blount, Thomas Manuel was born November 18, 1922, in rural Peabody, KS. He graduated from Cedar Point High School. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and made a career of the Army, including a couple years in the 17th Airborne Division. He was on an air drop in 1945 across the Rhine River from France into Germany. His combat experience in World War II was all in Europe and he also fought in the Korean War. He received three Bronze Stars and other decorations and awards for his bravery above and beyond the call of duty. One Bronze Star was accompanied by a letter from President Eisenhower commending him for pulling some of his injured men to safety while under enemy fire during the Korean War. While he was stationed in Italy, he met Redenta "Reny" Marispin and they were married in Toronto, Canada, on March 5, 1952. She preceded him in death. In 1964, after 20 years of service, he retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant and moved to Cadillac, Michigan where he worked construction for 17 years. He then worked on the Wexford County Ambulance for three years before retiring in 1984. In 1989, Tom and Reny moved to Cottonwood Falls to be close to family and really retire. Tommy and Reny moved back to Cadillac, Michigan, in 1991. He moved back to Cottonwood Falls in June of 2007. He is survived by a son, Greg Blount of Flower Mound, TX.; two brothers: Walter Blount of Cottonwood Falls and James Blount of Strong City; three sisters: Anna Lee Meyers, Dorothy Bower, and Shirley Lincoln all of Cottonwood Falls; and two grandchildren: Gabriella "Gabbie" Blount and Vincent Blount. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: George Blount and Robert Blount; three sisters: Jean Owen, Virgiline Roever, and Marlene Blount; a half-brother: Jacob Hulsizer; two half-sisters: Viola Shipp and Frankie Sprague; and a daughter-in-law, Deborah Ayers Blount. Messages to the family may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com. There will be no formal visitation. Memorial contributions to the Chase County Senior Center may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845.

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