Gary Blount

1936 - 2016

Gary Blount
July 6, 1936 ~ February 26, 2016
Gary Blount, age 79, died on February 26, 2016, at his home in Meridian, ID. The only child of Milton and Zema Ree (Miller) Blount, Gary was born at his grandparents' farm near Mart, Texas, on July 6, 1936. He attended Mart schools, graduating in 1954 as president of his senior class. He was a starter on the Panther football team all four years of his high school career and maintained lifelong friendships with many of his teammates.
Gary attended the University of Texas in Austin, graduating in 1959. He remained a fervent Longhorn fan throughout his life and eagerly looked forward to the beginning of football season each year. He was quick to flash the "Hook 'em Horns" sign wherever he recognized a fellow wearer of burnt orange.
In November 1956, Gary married Linda Ramsey in Mart and they made their home in Fort Worth where Gary had a long career at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. They had two children, Michael, born in 1959, and Michele, born in 1960. Gary and Linda were later divorced.
After retirement, Gary returned to Mart. His greatest passion was fishing, which he pursued from Alaska to Mexico, and in just about every bass lake in Texas, usually accompanied by his best friend, Kenneth Richardson.
On May 23, 1999, Gary married Larissa Struwe in Marlin, Texas. They moved briefly to Boise, ID, and returned to Texas, settling in Sulphur Springs later in 1999. In 2012, Gary and Larissa moved to Meridian, Idaho. During their marriage Gary and Larissa enjoyed travel, and found wonderful friendships along the way. Gary's sense of humor and genuine interest in people engaged every one he met.
Gary is survived by his wife, Larissa, of Meridian, ID; his son, Michael, of Nacogdoches, TX; his daughter, Michele Ewing (Lonnie), of Benbrook, TX; a granddaughter, Amber Young; and great-granddaughter, Katelynn Leis of Benbrook; stepchildren, Robert Struwe of Heber, UT, and Melissa Briley (Steve) of Park City, UT, and their children, Ben and Quinn Briley, and by cherished friends, Kenneth and Virginia Richardson of Burleson, TX.
A memorial service celebrating Gary's life will be held later in Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity, 828 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian, ID 83646.