Ollie Lionel Blan, Jr., age 86, of Birmingham, Alabama, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 23, 2017 following a very long and hard fought battle with Alzheimer's. Ollie was a loving and devoted husband, father, a beloved grandfather and a well respected member of the Birmingham community. Ollie grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and received the Order of the Arrow award. Ollie attended the University of Arkansas where he received his law degree and from there he went on to serve in the Judge Adjutant Generals office of the US Marine Corps. While in the Marines, Ollie met one of his lifelong friends, Hobart Grooms, Jr.; and after their service, Hobart invited Ollie to return to Birmingham which opened the door to serve as a law clerk in the office of his father, Judge Hobart Grooms, Sr. He soon became a managing partner in the law firm of Spain & Gillon and he met and married the love of his life, Connie. Ollie and Connie shared a passion for gardening, travel and frequent antiquing trips. Ollie was a distinguished member of the Alabama legal community serving as President(1995-1996), Vice President(1993-1994) and on the Board of Directors(1989-1992) of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. He was awarded the DRI State Leadership Award in 1998 and the Louis B. Potter Lifetime Professional Service award in 2000. Ollie was a faithful member, teacher, and deacon at First Baptist Church of Birmingham and McElwain Baptist Church, as well as one of the early members of the Church at Brook Hills. He served many years on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ. Ollie will be remembered for his strong work ethic and integrity in the field of law; his dedication to the teaching of God's word; his passionate love of sports; his role in the beautiful and lovingly maintained garden he and Connie enjoyed planting together for all to enjoy; and most importantly, his kindness and generosity to those who were fortunate to cross paths with him. Ollie is preceded in death by his father, Ollie Lionel Blan, Sr, and his mother Eva Ocie Cross Blan. He is survived by his sister, Ann Blan Hilton(Bill); wife, Connie Gillon Blan; children, Brad Blan(Karen), Betsy Blan, and Cindy Blan Trivett(Kevin); and his grandchildren whom he adored, Gracie Trivett, Connor and Cody Blan. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Mountain Brook Community Church on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11 am. The family will receive friends at the church at 10 am. In lieu of flowers the family suggest that donations be made to Jesus Film Project, 27631 La Paz Road Suite A, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Phone 1-800-387-4040 or McElwayne Baptist Church Loving Touch Ministry.
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