James Richard Blaylock

James Richard Blaylock, Jr., 94, of Fort Smith, Arkansas died Sunday, April 3, 2016 in Fort Smith. He was born July 1, 1921 at West Hartford, AR to the late James Richard Blaylock, Sr. (Jim Newt) and Flora Bella Herren Blaylock. He was retired from Ace Hardware, a 53 year member of Lodge #609 F&AM, an avid gardener of both vegetables and flowers, loved the outdoors and fishing. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Floy Blaylock; an infant son, Jimmy Lee Blaylock; a daughter, Linda June Duke; a granddaughter, Emily Burrows; two sisters, Rena Lynch and Martha Blaylock; three brothers, Willie Blaylock, Dee Olen Blaylock and Melvin Blaylock and his ex-wife and the mother of all his children, Genell Spain Blaylock.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at West Harmony Cemetery in West Hartford. Viewing will be Tuesday from 1 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.

He is survived by a son, Jerry Blaylock and wife, Brenda; two daughters, Betty and husband, Lee Burrows and Selba Marino; one sister, Lenora Blankenship; seven grandchildren, Greg Burrows (Laurie), Rich Burrows (Jan), Tammy Benton (Terry), Deann Marino, Ray Blaylock (Amy), Michael Blaylock (Kim), Leighann Back (Alan); two step grandchildren, Chris Bunn and Travis Bunn; fourteen great grandchildren, Courtney Burrows, Scott Burrows, Richard Burrows, Jessie Burrows Elmore (Mark), Orrin Burrows, Amanda Komp, Josh Marino, Checotah Benton, Joshua Ryan Blaylock (Erin), Hannah Blaylock, Maddie Back, Even Gentry, Mason Gentry and Lacy Mathis; two great great grandchildren, Eris and Wyatt Elmore; another great great grandson, James Ryan Blaylock due this summer and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Greg Burrows, Rich Burrows, Ray Blaylock, Michael Blaylock, Chris Bunn and Travis Bunn.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com