John H Blume

LEXINGTON – John H. Blume, Jr., 89, of Lexington, known by his family and friends as “Big Daddy,” passed away Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the Lexington County Medical Center. The son of the late John Henry Blume and Mae King Blume, John was born on August 13, 1922 in the Eau Claire section of Columbia, but spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Charlotte, N.C. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. For most of his adult life, John, along with his wife, Opal, owned and operated the Blue Bay Motel in Myrtle Beach, SC. They moved to Lexington in 1999. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach, and then Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC. Prior to losing his vision 11 years ago to macular degeneration, John was an avid golfer and bridge player. Those who knew him in his younger days also referred to him as “one helluva dancer.” He accepted the loss of his vision with grace and dignity, as well as the can do attitude of the “Greatest Generation;” he remained active and upbeat. John valued his friends and cherished his family. He will be missed, and the lives of those who knew and loved him will be smaller now that he has passed.

He is survived by his wife, Opal; his children, Pamela Leonard (Charles) of Atlanta and John III (Drucy) of Lexington; grandchildren, Ashley, Allison, Henry and Casey, and great-grandchildren, Lee, Alex and Alyssa. He was predeceased by his brothers, Henry and Edgar, his sister, Frances and his twin sister Annie Mae.

A memorial service will he held on Thursday December 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his memory to Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, 1205 Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington, SC 29072.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.