Jean Steele Blaylock, 86, passed away unexpectedly Monday, at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

Jean was born to John Henry and Lillian (Doss) Blaylock in Marshfield. He moved to Albany as a child and graduated form Albany High School with the class of 1943. He valued these friends and never missed a class reunion.

In 1944, he joined the Marine Corps and served as a radioman throughout the Pacific for the duration of World War II. After the war he returned to Albany and married his high school sweetheart, Betty May Brown. He worked with his father as a grocer and, for many years, owned and operated the Midway Market in Albany.

Together Jean and Betty were very active in the Albany community. Jean played baseball with the American legion and worked on the Timber Carnival with the Marine Corp League. They were members of the VFW, Elks and Springhill Country Club.

Jean sold Midway Market in the early '70s and worked for Dumont Distributors until his retirement.

Jean and Betty took full advantage of their retirement years. They enjoyed traveling and continued to make new friends by joining local RV clubs. They became "snow birds" and spent many winters in Yuma, Ariz., and the Southwest. They loved hunting, camping, and golfing with family and friends. Most summer days were spent "patiently" watching their grandchildren in their backyard pool. They delivered Meals on Wheels for may years. Jean recently volunteered every week at the Albany Visitor Association coffee kiosk at the I-5 rest area. He enlisted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in this endeavor. He was also serving on the Linn County Parks Commission.

He is survived by his sons Craig, Brad and Jon Blaylock; daughter Cari Fowler; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; and granddaughter Shauna.

Jean was always the life of the party, even if it was a party of one! He was a patriot. He was frugal, but generous. His devotion to his wife was inspirational. He was a true example of "The Greatest Generation." He will be missed. "See ya later, pal."

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Albany Boys and Girls Club or the Salvations Army. AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).