Robert O. Blount (Bob), 89 of Leesburg, was called to his heavenly home on July 27, 2022.
He always counted his Blessings and told anyone that would listen how blessed he was with his Faith in Jesus, and his big loving family. He was the prayer warrior for our family and many others. He loved life on this earth and his large family but longed for his heavenly home with Jesus!
He was born in Birmingham, Alabama but his family moved to Fruitland Park when Bob was 2 years old. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Leesburg. He was married to Helen Harnage Blount and ould have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary, August 17th of this year. They met at Leesburg High School where Bob was Student Body President and was voted “friendliest”. One day, when he was measuring students’ fingers for their class ring, he met Helen and was so taken that he said, “One day I’m going to put a wedding ring on this finger” and the rest is history. Both graduated from Leesburg in 1950.
Bob then attended University of Florida, served in the Army, and then the Army Reserves. Straight out of the Army, in his early twenties, He became Browne Gregg’s (Gregg Gibson & Gregg) head construction superintendent for over 20 years. While there, he built bridges & spillways all over Florida. He supervised construction of the bridge on I75 over Lake Panasoffkee and the Haynes Creek lock system in Leesburg, among many others. In the early 1970’s he started his own construction firm and became one of the premier custom home builders of Lake & Sumter County. In his last working years before retirement, he was Chief Construction Estimator for W.W. Fagan & Co of Winter Park, Fl. After his retirement, he assisted custom home builder son in law, Reggie, with Garner Construction.
He is predeceased by his mother and father, Cludie & J. A. Blount, 2 brothers Andrew Blount of Apopka and John Blount Jr, killed in Pearl Harbor, & nephew Vance Blount. He is survived by his wife, Helen Blount, sister Martha Ann Howard, niece Denise Royston (Keith), nephews Greg Holton (Cindy), John Howard (Cori). He is survived by his 4 children: Pam Lopez (David), Mike Blount (Joy), Suzanne Garner (Reggie), and Rick Blount (Mary). His 15 grandchildren: Ricky Davis (Donelle) Christopher Blount, Ryan Blount, Jason Blount (Isabella), Justin Blount, Jaclyn Madill (Michael) Brittany Blount, Melissa Draxinger (John), Melinda Scrubbs (James), Matthew Garner (fiancé Maddie), Meagan Peterson (Patrick), Lauren Kelly, Danielle Fredericks (fiancé Corbin), & Blake Kelly (Alicia) His 15 great grandchildren Robbie & Kyler Davis, Justus Blount, Kynlee & Harlee Madill, Simon & Levi Draxinger, Camden & Lander Scrubbs, Dominick, Ava, Peyton & Logan Peterson, Mackenzie & Lexi Kelly.
We are all rejoicing that dad is now singing and praising God in his heavenly home and can’t wait until the day we see him again! Love you dad and yes, we know, you love us more!!
His Celebration of Life is Tuesday, August 2nd 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Leesburg, 220 North 13th Street with visitation prior to the service at 9:00. Committal service at Shiloh Cemetery of Fruitland Park.
