Ezra Allan Blount

Ezra Allan Blount passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2010 at the age of 101. Ezra was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, a devout and dedicated Christian, a soldier, editor, international lecturer and author on metal finishing and electroplating and a professional engineer as well as a loyal friend and a gentleman. He wished to be remembered as "a decent Christian man". And so he was.

Ezra was born in Indianapolis, in 1909. His great grandfather Silas established a farm on 160 acres in Tipton County. Ezra and his parents spent summers there and his parents became permanent residents in 1924. The land is now owned by his children. This land was always important to him as was the history of his family.

He was an honors graduate of Arsenal Technical High School in 1927. He received a chemical engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1932. He was a founding member of Beta Omicron Chapter of Theta Chi fraternity, serving in various roles of its predecessor Zeta Chapter of Beta Kappa. He remained active with Theta Chi and the friendships formed there his entire life. Following in his father's military footsteps, he was active in the ROTC since high school. He received a commission as 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army in 1932. For the next 50 years, he pursued his professional as well as his military career. From 1932 - 1948, Ezra held positions as a Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Chemist and Assistant Chief Metallurgist for firms in Indiana and Ohio. From 1948-1967 he was Editor of Products Finishing magazine in Cincinnati. From 1968-1973 he was Vice President of Conversion Chemical Corporation in Rockville, CT.

Ezra visited many plants performing electroplating and metal finishing operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. He prepared articles about the operations and gave lectures in many cities around the world.

Ezra's associations in the field were quite broad. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma professional Chemical fraternity, Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering fraternity, and was secretary of the Metal Finishing Suppliers Association for 26 years. He also served as President of the American Electroplaters Society and remained active in that organization until his death.

In 1942, he was ordered to active duty with the U.S. Air Corps, serving in Denver, Washington D.C., Wright Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio, and was then sent to China with the China Air Service Command which resulted in his promotion to Lt. Col. in the Air Force; returning to the Organized Reserve in 1946. In 1951-52 during the Korean War, he was Deputy Group Commander at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan. He remained in the Reserve until he retired in 1969. He was a member of the Scabbard and Blade honorary military fraternity.

Ezra was a lifelong member of the church, coming from a family of preachers in Indiana. His great grandfather Silas was a preacher and medical man and his grandfather Brazillia was also a preacher who initiated a number of churches in the area, including the Atlanta Christian Church and the West Street Christian Church in Tipton.

For his part, Ezra served as trustee in several churches where he was a member, serving longest at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, Ohio and Our Savior Lutheran Church in South Windsor, CT.

Ezra's wife of 71 years, Helen, died last summer. He leaves his son, Dr. William Robert Blount and his wife Leslie of Tampa, FL and their children, Bo, Natalie and Matthew; his daughter Linda Rose Blount Peterson and her husband, Glenn, of Colorado Springs, CO., and their children Laura and Michael.

A memorial service will be held at the Atlanta Christian Church in Atlanta, IN on October 23, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Harold Barnett officiating before being laid to rest in the family plot area at Cicero, IN with full military honors. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Atlanta Christian Church. Hartley Funeral Homes Cicero Chapel is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.hartleyfuneralhomes.com. Visitation
October 23, 2010
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Atlanta Christian Church 200 E. Main Street
Atlanta, IN
(765) 292-2323 Memorial Service
October 23, 2010
2:00 PM
Atlanta Christian Church 200 E. Main Street
Atlanta, IN
(765) 292-2323