John Lee Bloxsome

John Lee Bloxsome went home to be with the Lord August 29, after devoting 81 years to serving his family and friends. Throughout his life, John displayed a passion for being around people and most enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Time spent with others was particularly special for John if it involved a good meal, a hearty laugh and maybe even travel to an overseas location. John was born and reared in Terre Haute, IN, to John and Merceda Bloxsome and spent his childhood with his sister Jan. After high school, John remained in Terre Haute where he graduated from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering in 1957. While at Rose, he became a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, served as co-editor of Rose Technic, the college magazine, and was a member of Tau Beta Pi, engineering honorary. If you spent any time reminiscing with John through the years, you were certain to hear about the many challenging classes and exams that occupied his time at Rose. Ever the humble man, John often referred to his friends at Rose as smarter and more gifted. After graduating from Rose, John headed out east to earn his Master's Degree and begin a long career working for IBM until his retirement in 1992. While out east, John met and married his first wife, Elaine. They spent 43 amazing years together raising two sons, Jeff and Randy. Throughout their marriage, John and Elaine loved their sons and each other with a dedication and commitment that is still impacting the lives of their five grandchildren. A few years after Elaine went home to be with the Lord, John reconnected with Jean with whom he had attended college in Terre Haute and they subsequently married in 2007. John and Jean shared 10 very special years together bouncing back and forth between Indiana and Bradenton. During John's illness the last several years, his love for Jean and her devotion and care for him were impossible to miss. John is survived by his wife, Jean, his sons Jeff (Kathleen) and Randy (Wendy), five grandchildren, Josh, Meghan, Bailey, Logan, and Lauren, his sister Janet (Lou), his step daughter Janet (Richard) and his step grandson Trevor. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine, and his parents John and Merceda Bloxsome. A memorial service will be at Peace Presbyterian Church Monday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 State Route 64 East, Lakewood Ranch FL 34212 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 3277-A Fruitville Road, Suite 1, Sarasota FL 34237.