James Blaschak

James Louis BIaschak, age 88 passed away on March 31, 2024 at The Laurels, Athens, Ohio. Born January 15,1936 to Louis and Mary Hodovanic Blaschak in Jefferson County, Ohio, he called Toronto, Ohio his home town. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Baker Blaschak, whom he married in 1965. 

He graduated in 1952 from Jefferson Union High School and The Ohio State University in 1958. He was a member of the NCAA 1957 national championship football team which defeated Oregon in the Rose Bowl in 1958. He served his country in the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Viet Nam War. He was employed for 34 years as a federal investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division and was in charge of the Southeast Ohio Field Station. 

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapshooting. He especially liked working with kids. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and belonged to the Hocking Valley Sportsman Association and the Athens Fish and Game Club. He also was a member of the Varsity 0 Club at OSU, the Ohio Big Bucks Club, the Husky Muskie Club and the American Legion. 

He enjoyed all kinds of sports and was a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Reds. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Robert; a sister, Delores Sohovich;  and his beloved cat, Daisy Mae.  

In addition to his wife, he is survived by nieces (his sister's daughters) Kristine Sohovich of Wintersville, Stephanie (Rob) Green of Akron, Susan Webb of Canton and Jennifer Farside of Myrtle Beach. His other nieces and nephews are Brad Baker, Tammy Baker, Brandon Baker, Kelly Soucek, Cody Baker, Amye Baker, Rachelle Wilson and Clint Baker; Cousins, Dennis Gaslaszewski, Michael Hodovanic and Richard Hodovanic; and his brother-in-law John (Ronda) Baker of Marion.

 The family wishes to thank the caring nurses, aides and staff at The Laurels for making his last months of being bed fast a little easier and to his many friends who stopped by to brighten his days.

Funeral service will be conducted Thursday, April 4th at 1:00 p.m. at Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, 24 Morris Ave., Athens, OH 45701, with Pastor William Hixson officiating. Burial will be in the Alexander Cemetery, Hebbardsville.  Friends may call Thursday 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.  Military Rites will be conducted by K.T. Crossen Post 21 American Legion and VFW Post 9893 Honor Guards at the cemetery.  Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.