John Edward Blue Sr.

Funeral service for John Edward Blue Sr., 82, of Foley, formerly of Anniston, will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, at Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston with Dr. Billy Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Forestlawn Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home and Crematory directing. Mr. Blue passed away January 14, 2014. John Edward Blue Sr. was an Anniston born son. He was a proud "Bulldog" graduate of the Anniston High School class of 1949. He was a 1953 graduate of Auburn University. While at Auburn he received his 2nd Lt. Commission in the US Air Force. Upon graduation he began his military career. He served his country first during the Korean War. After his initial obligation of military service, he returned home as a local businessman, community and public advocate. His service in the Jaycees, charitable organizations and Chairman of the Civil Service Board gave him great civic pleasure. His closest friends from High School, Auburn University, KA fraternity, military and the business community knew him as "Johnny" - always striving to be the friend that we all want to have. Mr. Blue departed Anniston in 1963 to become Vice President of Governmental Relations for Teledyne Brown in Huntsville. He remained an active member of the US Air Force Reserve until 1980 when he returned to active duty commands at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, The Pentagon and Robin Air Force Base. Colonel Blue retired as Commandant of the Engineering Battalion in 1985. Colonel Blue returned to Alabama again as a business, public and governmental advocate for the communities of Calhoun, Montgomery and Baldwin Counties. Colonel Blue was preceded in death by his parents, Joe A. and Katie Scoggins Blue. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn Edwards Blue; sister, JoAnn Blue of Huntsville; children, John E. Blue II, of Anniston, Becky Blue Lyles (Todd), of Louisville, Ky., Sandy Blue Adams (Bill), of Fort Mitchell, Ky., Lynne Bennett of St. Augustine, Fla., David Smith (Lynne), of Boise, Idaho, and Chemegne Smith Sinkus, of Foley; grandchildren, Shelley Blue-Miller (Patrick), Michael Evans, Parker Adams, Jackson Adams, Mackenzie Lyles, Zachary Lyles, Chelsea Bennett, Tucker Smith, Josh Smith, Emerald Smith, Kathryn Sinkus, Carolyn Sinkus and Alexandra Sinkus; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Miller, Wesley Miller and Emma Evans. And by his faithful pet companion, Zorro. Pallbearers will be grandsons and close friends. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. prior to the 2 o'clock service, Friday, January 17, 2014, at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to your favorite charity. www.millerfuneralhomeoxford.com Miller Funeral Home & Crematory Oxford, AL (256) 831-4611 A Brown Service Authorized Funeral Home.