John Richard Blossman

John Richard Blossman, a well-known Gulf Coast businessman and community leader died of cancer Monday morning, March 30, 2009, at his home in Ocean Springs. He was 65. John lived a meaningful life and was a blessing to his family and all who knew him. He will be remembered for his kind, gentle way and his humility. His spirituality served as an example and great encouragement to others and he was always there when needed. His humor and optimism lifted those around him. To the very end, he laughed and enjoyed life and those he loved. A native of New Orleans and resident of Ocean Springs since 1951, John graduated from Yale University in 1966 and Vanderbilt School of Law in 1969. Upon graduation from law school, he joined Blossman Gas, Inc., the company founded by his father, E. W. Blossman. From 1970 – 1972 he took a leave of absence from the company to serve in the U. S. Army, during the Vietnam era. At the time of his death, he was Chairman of the Board of Blossman Gas, now the 10th largest retail propane dealer in the country. A widely respected member of the propane industry, he served terms as President of both the Mississippi Propane Gas Association and the National Propane Gas Association. He had also been active in the banking industry, having served for over twenty years as a Director of Citizens National Bank, now a part of Wachovia Bank. A member of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, he was also a long-standing supporter of the Gulf Coast YMCA. Since 1973 he has been an active member of the Board of Directors of French Camp Academy, in French Camp, MS and Chamberlain Hunt Academy, of Port Gibson, MS most recently serving as their Chairman from 1994 to 2009. A former Director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, John was an ardent supporter of his beloved Ocean Springs. He and his wife Courtney were key organizers of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, and were actively involved in efforts to protect Ocean Springs’ historic charm and quality of life. He has been involved in numerous Gulf Coast organizations and was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the City of Ocean Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Woodrow Blossman and Arthemise Alsina Blossman. Survivors include his wife, Courtney C. Blossman; three children, Daughter Lorie B. (Michael) Brodowicz, of Charlotte, NC, Stepson Stuart E. (Ann) Weidie, of Asheville, NC, and Stepdaughter Courtney W. (Enrique) Carballido, of Perth, Australia, sister Patricia Burke, of Hendersonville, NC, and nine grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, Joshua, Isaac, Samuel and Olivia Weidie, and Benjamin, Lynn and Matthew Brodowicz. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00PM, Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Street, Ocean Springs. Funeral Services will be at 12:00Noon Thursday, April 2, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, 921 Ocean Avenue, Ocean Springs, with visitation preceding the service from 10:00AM - 12:00Noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745, or to the Gulf Coast YMCA, 1810 Government Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.