Paul Tunney Blizzard

Paul Tunney Blizzard, age 91, went to his eternal home on December 29, 2020. Son of Johnnie James Blizzard and Viola McLawhorn Blizzard, Paul was born on January 5, 1929 in Lenoir County, North Carolina.

Paul graduated from Deep Run High School as valedictorian in 1947. As a senior, he was elected President of the NC Association of Future Farmers of America. He earned a BS in agronomy from North Carolina State University before joining the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he served as an X-ray technician in Wonju during the Korean War. Upon returning home, Paul completed an MS in agricultural education from NCSU and taught vocational agriculture in Kenansville High School for two years before launching a career in the agricultural chemical business. He worked in sales and management with Virginia-Carolina Chemical, Mobil Oil Corporation, and Vicksburg Chemical. He retired from Vicksburg Chemical Company (now Mobil Oil) as National Agriculture Sales Manager in 1995. He served as consultant with Mobil until December 31, 1999. He was active in many local, state, and national agricultural organizations, and he served in Army Reserve medical units, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1981.

Paul married Louise E. George of Raleigh, NC in 1955. They lived in New Bern, NC for 50+ years and spent many summers in the mountains of Sparta, NC. They found great joy in traveling in the U.S. and abroad.

Wherever he lived, he was active in his church, especially First Baptist Church of New Bern, where he was an active deacon and Sunday school teacher. He also had a passion for golf, photography, genealogy, gardening, and NC State football and basketball. (As he loved to say, “Go Pack!”) He cherished his family, friends, and community.

Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise; daughters Shannon Blizzard Smith (Mark) of Charlottesville, VA; Allyson Blizzard Liebendorfer (Mark) of Lewisburg, WV; and Laurie Trace Blizzard (Allen) of Raleigh, NC; five grandchildren: Averil Liebendorfer Blue (Henry) of Chattanooga, TN; Eric S. Liebendorfer (Katie) of Atlanta, GA; Amber Zoe Smith (Jason) of Blacksburg, VA; Alyssa Noelle Smith of Charlottesville, VA; and Abbie Trace Green of Charleston, SC.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter; sister Ruth Blizzard Sharp, and her husband Earl.

A funeral service will be scheduled for a later date as well as a military rites burial. A celebration of his life will follow thereafter. Memorial gifts may be made in Paul’s honor to Hospice Palliative Care.