A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 22 at The Refuge Church in Lakeland, TN. Visitation will begin at 10:30 and the service will begin at 11:30. Pastor, Scott Benjamin of The Refuge Church will be officiating. Burial will follow the service at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 3700 North Germantown Parkway.
Jay was born in Burlington, Iowa on September 18, 1936. He graduated from North Highschool in Columbus, Ohio and attended Ohio State University, where he was on the swim team. He worked a number of years in sales and in his spare time he was the scout master of troop 360. He was proud that all three of his sons achieved eagle scout status. Jay later opened Cornflower Interiors, a business specializing in church and library interiors and installations.
Jay was married to his loving wife, Sandra for 39 years. Jay and Sandra worked together in their business and served as board members for Evangelistic Expeditions. Jay became a born again Christian at Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis in 1981. From that time on, Jay’s passion became reaching others for Jesus. He completed more than 45 trips to Brazil, and trips to Haiti and Jamaica to share the gospel. Jay was active in the Gideons International prior to becoming a founding member and missions elder for Centerpoint Church. He later became a member at the Refuge church in Lakeland, TN.
Jay is survived by his wife, Sandra Berryhill Blondis, Knoxville, TN; sons, Kurt Blondis (Amy) Albuquerque, NM; Craig Blondis (Elizabeth) Memphis, TN; Todd Blondis (Terrie); Denver, CO; stepdaughters, Meredith Layton (Scott) Knoxville, TN and Ericka Frank (Kevin) St. Louis, MO, grandchildren, Zak Blondis, Memphis, TN; Bo Layton, Greenville, SC; Emerald Ross, Grenada, MS; Jacob Roe, Jacksonville, FL; Tabb Layton, Knoxville, TN; Charlotte Blondis, Memphis, TN and Graham Blondis, Memphis, TN; and great grandchildren, Priscilla Ross, Meadow Garland and Levi Roe.
Jay leaves behind a legacy of love to many others as he believed in treating his friends like family and family like friends.
Jay is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Calloway Blondis; his father, Lieutenant Colonel, Oscar Don Blondis and his brother, Major Richard John Blondis.
The family wishes to thank the Refuge Church for their love and care during this time.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Blondis family.
