Joe Travis Blaylock

Joe was born in Keiser, AR, a small logging outpost town nestled in-between Wilson and Jonesboro, to James Arthur and Addie Love (Cooper) Blaylock on Wednesday, March 17th, 1945. Some years later, the family would move to Indiana where Joe graduated from Windfall High School in 1965. He lived in Indiana up until his retirement. In 1999 he and his wife, Bonnie, moved to Foley, AL. They remained there for 18 years, returning to Kokomo in 2017 where he would live the remainder of his life.

Joe was born in a hotbed of musical diversity as Keiser was just 45 minutes from Memphis and not too far from the birthplace of Johnny Cash. The influence of country and rock from where he was born and throughout his life would form a lifelong impression on the man. A naturally gifted singer with striking stage presence and good looks, he would sing with many different bands starting in high school until just a couple of years before his death. Later in life, at the age of 59, he started to learn the guitar and would play at local festivals in the Foley AL area. And, if you asked just right - which we’re certain there wasn’t a wrong way to ask - he would impersonate his favorite rock star, Elvis Presley. And yes, Joe did love banana and peanut butter sandwiches.

Joe was a man who loved sports. He was a strong cross-country runner, but his tall and lean frame fit him for his one passion beyond music - basketball. He was a starting forward on the Windfall Dragons high school basketball team. He was a tenacious defensive player who not only loved to guard the toughest opponent on the floor but rebound as well. He would say there was nothing like the feel of the leather ball in his hands and the squeak of his Chuck Taylors on the hardwood. He was an IU Basketball fan like none other – a trait that would find itself passed down through his family including his grandchild.

Joe served this great country in the Army from 1965 to 1969. He was stationed in the US, Vietnam, and Germany during that period. That service would lead him to be a lifetime member of the Howard County Veterans Association where he was a presence on the grounds most weeks with F-Troop.

Joe retired from Delco Electronics after 30 years at the plant. Following his retirement, he worked for Southern Chevrolet in Foley, briefly had a lawn mowing business and assisted with the Foley Art Association along with his wife, Bonnie.

Joe found time to give back to others through involvement in the YMCA in Foley Alabama where he was a founding member of the Y’s Guys - a group of eight retired men who raised money not only for their local YMCA, but other local charities. Additionally, he was involved in mentorship with the youth of Baldwin County that found themselves in the court system.

Along with sports and family, his love for animals was unmatched. From his Golden Retriever, Sadie May, his Jack Russell’s Mookie and Marley and his Dingo, Doby - that is missing him now – he trained, took care of them, and loved on them, maybe even more than his family. That is a joke, by the way – but not too far of a stretch. That same love for animals was, again, passed down to his family.

Left to look back and cherish his memory include his two sons, Joe (Linda) Blaylock of Kokomo, IN and Joshua (Brian Chen) Blaylock of New York City, NY; step-son Eric (Angie) Meyers of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren Joelie Love Blaylock, Lennon Meyers, Maisy Meyers and Gage Meyers ; brother, Harold (Sheila) Blaylock of Massillon, OH; sisters – Betty (Kenny) Ziegler of Tipton, IN and Judy Jones of Massillon, OH as well as eighteen nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie (Meyers) Blaylock; his mother, that he adored and missed, Addie Love (Cooper) Blaylock; Father, James Arthur Blaylock as well as four brothers - James L. Blaylock, James Junior Blaylock, Robert Blaylock, Gary Blaylock and one sister, Genice Ferguson.

Arrangements are being handled by Sunset Memory Garden. Joe’s wish was to be cremated. Celebration of life will be on Friday, December 27th, 2024 from 1:00 pm until the start of funeral services at 2:30 pm with disposition immediately following.