John Milton Blount, Jr.

Milt Blount, age 90, of Columbia, TN, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Maury Regional Medical Center. He was born January 20, 1928 in Tampa, Florida and was the son of the late John Milton Blount and Helen Powell Blount. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Betty Rowell Blount and two sons, Robert Lee Blount and John Milton Blount, III. He is survived by a daughter Katherine (Jim) Lyons of Columbia, a sister, Maidee (Bob) Parsons of Ocala, FL, a grandson, John Michael Whitley, and a granddaughter Cassy Lyons.

Milt was devoted to his family and enjoyed supporting the activities of his children. He was a long time member of the Baptist faith and in his later years attended a Methodist church.

Reared in Tampa, Milt attended public schools, graduating from H.B. Plant High School in 1946. While in High School, he excelled in football, basketball, and track and was given a football scholarship to Auburn University. He was also a good student and was active in extracurricular activates. He served as President of his senior class and was elected the National Honor Society.

Following graduation, Milt served in the U.S. Army in the 88 ^th Infantry Division M.P. Company in Italy from 1946 – 1948. He attended Auburn University and earned a B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering. While at Auburn, he was active in extracurricular affairs, serving on the Student Senate, as President of the Interfraternity Council, on the first Student Activities Building Committee, and was listed in the “Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges.” He was appointed Cadet Colonel of the AFROTC and received a commission in the U.S.A.F Reserve. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Upon graduation in 1952, Milt joined the E.I. duPont Company at the Savannah River Plant near Alken, SC where he worked as a shift supervisor in the heavy water production plant and as a senior supervisor in the Nuclear Reactor Department. In 1955, Milt married Betty Rowell and in 1968, he was transferred to the Columbia Sponge Plant. As a member of the plant technical group, he developed the design data for new equipment which ultimately resulted in significant reductions in raw material costs and the elimination of one o the plants liquid waste streams. He also authored the plant’s first air quality control manual. In 1973 Milt was appointed to the manufacturing department as assistant area supervisor. In 1976, Milt was placed in charge of sponge production for the plant.

In 1977, Milt was transferred to Fairfield, Connecticut as plant production superintendent. While there he oversaw the institution of a system of written operating procedures which resulted in significant improvements in product quality and consistency. He also began the transition to a system of statistical quality control for the plants various products.

In 1983, Milt retired and moved back to Columbia with the family. As a retiree, Milt served as a volunteer with the Maury Regional Medical Center for over ten years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and gardening. He was an avid fan of Auburn athletics, especially football.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 3PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Jeff Jacob officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army. A visitation will also be held on August 18 ^th from 2-3PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.