Michael J. Blaylock

Michael J. Blaylock, 65, of Fort Smith, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 2, 2018. Mike was born May 19, 1953, in Fort Smith to Mabrey and Mary Ruth Blaylock. He attended Northside High School. He coined the phrase “If you’re going to be a bear, be a Grizzly” while serving as the Athletic Booster Club President in the mid-90s. His support of Northside was unwavering throughout his life. After high school, Mike attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and married his high school sweetheart Janet shortly after.

Mike and Janet joined Grand Avenue Baptist Church in 1975 as newlyweds and have remained members since. Mike served as a deacon, played guitar weekly in the praise band, and taught Sunday School for decades. He was a man of faith and believed that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior, died for our sins, and rose again. Mike is celebrating with friends and family in heaven.

In 1983, Mike stepped out on faith and opened Blaylock Heating and Air Conditioning as a one-man-with-a-truck business. The red trucks have continued to roll ever since, as Blaylock Heating and Air Conditioning has grown and expanded into building and plumbing services. Residents of the River Valley recognize Mike’s familiar jingle, singing the Blaylock Heat and Air phone number. Mike was blessed tremendously as a business owner and gave generously to the community of Fort Smith.

Mike has been inducted into the Northside High School Hall of Honor, received the mayor’s Frontier and Good Neighbors Awards, was a founding member of the bluegrass gospel band GloryBound, and loved to sit on a Caribbean beach.

Mike is survived by his wife Janet, her mother Betty Marley, son Matthew and his wife Shelly, daughter Katie and her husband Travis, his grandchildren Madison, Hannah, Molly Kate, and Janson. He also leaves behind brother Patrick and his wife Karen, nephews Grant and wife Lenzie, Blake, and Reid, as well as sisters Carolyn Payne, Marilyn Groves, and Jean Ayo and their families.

Public viewing will be Sunday from 3 PM – 4 PM at Edwards Funeral Home. There will be no viewing at the visitation.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 4 from 5:30-7:30pm at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, and the Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grand Avenue Baptist Church on Monday, November 5 at 11:00am. Services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to: Northside Athletic Booster Club, for establishment of a scholarship or Grand Avenue Baptist Church Music Ministries.