Donald Stephen Blume Sr.

Donald Stephen Blume, Sr., 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 19th, 2015. He is reunited at last with his precious daughter, Sherri Lynn and loving wife of 50 years, Betty.

He was born on September 20, 1928, in Clover, SC, the son of Charles F. and Ella Creech Blume.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Gerald Blume and Charles Blume as well as sisters, Dorothy Blume Davis and Sybil Blume Baker. Don is survived by his son, Donald Stephen Blume, Jr., and his wife, Jenny; daughter, Darlene Blume Sprinkle, and her husband, Randy; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church Charlotte. Don’s after school jobs included Western Union skating messages to tellers and as an usher at Carolina Theatre. Don was a 1948 graduate of Charlotte Technical High School. He worked for Snap-on Tools before being drafted into the Army during the Korean War in December 1950. Stationed at Camp Polk, LA, he served in the 773rd Tank Battalion and was Tank Gunner for the Commanding Officer. Don transferred to HQ and HQ Co., 15th Armored Cavalry Group and worked directly under Captain Pfeiffer as his Assistant of Operation Sergeant. Captain Pfeiffer recognized the talents in Don and promoted him to Sergeant and told him, if he re-enlisted, he would get him an Officers Commission. He chose to go back to civilian life and took over as Office Manager for Snap-on Tools for six years, followed by District Sales Manager of Rockwell International for sixteen years.

In April 1974 Don founded his own company, Blume Supply, Inc. Forty-one years later, Blume Supply still stands as an outstanding specialty construction supply house, located at 3316 South Blvd. He never took credit in building the company, always giving the glory to God. As the company was blessed and prospered, Don and Betty began to share their blessings with the less fortunate, various churches, Billy Graham Ministry, Samaritans Purse and Jeff Andler Ministries. They became philanthropists of Presbyterian Hospital (now Novant Health). Don and Betty’s generous contributions to the hospital throughout the years did not go unnoticed. The Blume Pediatric Playroom was built in memory of Sherri and The Blume Family Room in honor of Don and Betty. In February 2001 Presbyterian Hospital honored the Blumes by bestowing their name on a pediatric cancer clinic, naming it The Presbyterian Blume Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic, to God be the Glory! The clinic has recently become an affiliate of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of only seven nationwide.

The family will greet friends at the First Baptist Church, 301 S. Davidson Street, Charlotte, on Tuesday, December 22nd, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, following by Don’s funeral service. Dr. Mark E. Harris and Reverend Allan Blume will officiate. Interment will be in Sharon Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will include Mitchel, Daniel and Randy Sprinkle; Curt Eudy; Ed Biggers; and Ron Deshaies.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Presbyterian Blume Pediatric Clinic, 301 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204, or to The Sherri Blume Memorial Fund, or the Betty Blume Memorial Fund, c/o Novant Health, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28233.

A special thank you to Rhett Lindsay and Loving Hands of Charlotte.

Online condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.