Dr. Richard Lamar Blount

Dr. Richard Lamar Blount died November 21, 2024 at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 88 years old. A noted Jackson ophthalmologist, Blount served as chief of staff at St. Dominic’s Hospital and in private practice in Jackson for more than forty years. Dr. Blount was beloved by his patients for his medical expertise, gentle manner, and careful attention to their personal needs and concerns.

Dick Blount was born September 29, 1936, and grew up in Jackson, where he attended Duling School, Bailey Junior High School, and graduated from Central High School where he led the JROTC. He was a dedicated Eagle Scout and loved attending national scout jamborees. In 1958, he graduated from Millsaps College, where he served as president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, the Baptist Student Union, and the Alpha Phi Omega service organization. He loved the outdoors all his life and especially enjoyed his job as a bus driver at Glacier National Park during summer breaks when he was in college and medical school.

Dick earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he was a class officer, president of the Baptist Student Union, and the school affiliate to the Student American Medical Association. He interned at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, where he met his wife Martha Lynn Means of Tupelo, who was studying at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. He completed an ophthalmology residency at Baylor and fellowships at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York and Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. He served as lieutenant commander and assistant chief of ophthalmology at the U.S. Public Health Hospital in San Francisco at the Presidio.

In 1969, the family moved to Jackson, where Blount entered private practice in ophthalmology. He later served as clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at University Medical Center and trained residents at the VA Hospital. In 2005, Blount joined Jackson Eye Associates, where he practiced until he retired in 2013. He served for many years as medical director at Mississippi Industries for the Blind. As a physician and surgeon, he cared for Gov. William Winter, Jackson State University president Dr. John A. Peoples, comedian Jerry Clower, Dr. Arthur Guyton, and author Eudora Welty, among many others.

Blount received personal communications of appreciation from Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush for his annual Christmas letter to patients inviting them to write off bills that they were unable to pay. He resisted efforts to publicize this recognition.

For many years Dr. Blount offered pro bono treatment to patients at Operation Shoestring, the Methodist and Baptist orphanages, and Stewpot Community Services. He made many medical mission trips to run an eye clinic in Honduras. He was a board member of the Andrew Jackson Council of Boy Scouts of America and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. After his retirement he enjoyed his time as an active Rotarian.

Blount served as a deacon and elder first at Briarwood Presbyterian Church and later at Covenant Presbyterian Church for many years. He valued his weekly prayer breakfast group and trips to Manresa House of Retreats in Louisiana. He was a man of faith and service.

Blount is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha, his sons David and Philip, daughters-in-law Katie and Carrie, and grandchildren Susanna, Charles, Kimberly, and Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucius Lamar Blount and Evelyn Catron Blount.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Dominic’s Hospital and St. Catherine’s Village for their excellent care of Dr. Blount and many kindnesses shown the family.

Visitation will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson on Sunday, December 1, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and on Monday, December 2, from 10:00 to noon. A memorial service will be held immediately following at noon Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind Foundation (2501 N. West Street Jackson 39216) or Stewpot Community Services (1100 W. Capitol Street Jackson 39203).