John Douglas "J.D." Blizzard

John Douglas "J.D." Blizzard, 85, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2007, at Lenoir Memorial Hospital from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.
J.D. was born to Blaney and Lula Hill Blizzard on October 26, 1921 and attended Deep Run High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Following his return home from service, JD worked at Garner Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director during the late 1940s. He founded Blizzard Building Supply Company in 1950 and worked there until his retirement in 1984 where he earned a reputation as an honest and respected businessman. Upon retirement, much of JD's time was spent serving on various corporate boards in the Kinston-Lenoir County area.
For the past 20 years, he actively served on the Board of Trustees and the Presidential Advisory Board at Campbell University. During his tenure on the trustee board, J.D. was instrumental in securing full scholarships to Campbell for numerous high school students in eastern North Carolina. Many students benefited from the efforts of Mr. Blizzard in securing placement in Campbell's Law School or Pharmacy School, and he often accompanied them to their initial interviews. Having come from humble beginnings himself, he realized the importance of a solid education, and therefore delighted in assisting to eliminate the financial burdens of local students who might not have otherwise been able to attend college.
As an active member of Spilman Memorial Baptist Church for over 45 years, Mr. Blizzard served several terms as a church deacon and trustee and was a dedicated member of the Daly Sunday School class. A member of Richard Caswell Masonic Lodge No. 705 in Kinston, he was a 32nd Degree Master Mason, a charter member of the Kinston Moose Lodge, and a member of the Golden K Club. In his leisure time, he enjoyed spending time at Goose Creek watching sunsets and going fishing and boating with friends and family.
A devoted husband and loving father, Mr. Blizzard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hazel Mozingo Blizzard; one son, John Douglas (Doug) Blizzard, Jr. and wife, Kay, of Kinston; and one granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Blizzard of Greensboro. Also surviving Mr. Blizzard are two sisters, Mildred Blizzard of Deep Run and Belle Carraway of Kinston; four brothers, Orion Blizzard of Kenansville, Henry and Tom Blizzard of Kinston, and Ray Blizzard of Deep Run. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews and very loyal friends and neighbors who offered their love and support to him and his family as his health declined due to pulmonary fibrosis.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21st at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, Kinston, with Dr. Randy Outland and Dr. Mike Cogdill officiating. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20th at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church in Kinston and other ties at the home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, 601 Madison Avenue, Kinston, NC 28504.
Howard-Carter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.