Former JHS Coach Passes
Obituary
Gary Wayne Blakemore, 76, of Milton, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Gary was born on December 24, 1946, in Sherman, Texas, the son of Joseph Walton and Juanita Gary Blakemore. After graduation from Milton High School in 1965, he joined the US Army, and he became an Airborne paratrooper serving in the Vietnam War where he earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart of Valor. Upon returning from his service to our country, Gary attended Patrick Henry Junior College where he played basketball and baseball. He returned to Milton and finished his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of West Florida and a Master’s Degree at Troy University. Gary spent his career in the Santa Rosa County School District as a teacher and a coach of football, basketball, and baseball at Pace High, Milton High, and Jay High School.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Pamela McClure Blakemore; three daughters, Cindy (Ted) Peaden, Caristen (Jason) Kimbrell, and Whitney (Tyler) Bennett and his seven grandchildren, Cole (Dallas) Peaden, Grant Peaden, McKenna Kimbrell, Cameron Kimbrell, Caden Kimbrell, Millie Bennett, and Jude Bennett. Gary is also survived by his brother, Charles (Judy) Blakemore; sister, Joquita (Robert) McKibben; brother-in-law, Robert (Tonya) McClure, sister-in-law, Melissa (Michael) Anderson, including many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Lewis Funeral Home Milton Chapel, 6405 Highway 90 W Milton, Florida 32570 with visitation from 11:00-1:00pm and service at 1:00pm. Interment will immediately follow at Serenity Gardens, Milton, FL with military honors.
Pallbearers will be Robert McClure, Ted Peaden, Jason Kimbrell, Tyler Bennett, Cole Peaden, Grant Peaden, Cameron Kimbrell, Caden Kimbrell, and Jude Bennett.
Honorary pallbearers: “The Wednesday Night Card Crew”, Dwight Linzy, and Jim Sauls.
