Walter Lorenzo Blaylock

TWIN FALLS / SMITHFIELD ? Walter Lorenzo Blaylock, 91, walked into the light on Pioneer Day, July 24, 2002. Walter was born on May 22, 1911 to Benjamin Franklin Jr. and Josephine Montgomery Blaylock in North Ogden, Utah. Drought forced his family to move several times during childhood. The family eventually settled SE of Buhl in 1923 to build their farm. Walter had just six weeks of high school education but never stopped learning. He was always thirsty for knowledge from books and life. While saving money for a career in aeronautical engineering he was called on a L.D.S. Mission to Germany during Hitler?s rise to power. He returned home in the 1933 depression, tried several jobs and moved to Los Angeles to drive a bus for the Los Angeles Motor Coach Company until the war broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Force and after proudly serving his country, he was released as an auto mechanic, airplane mechanic, electrician, and photo lab technician. Returning to civilian life he settled down to make photography his livelihood. He established ?The Camera Center? which he owned and operated for 26 years. In June 1967 he married Joan Ashliman from Logan, UT in the Idaho Falls Temple. She brought four children into the marriage and he promptly adopted them to begin their new family. Walter and Joan had three daughters together. With such a large family they needed much more space than the one bedroom bachelor?s home Walter had built by hand and in 1970 the family went on a shopping spree and bought a large 7 bedroom home that they moved onto the back of Walt?s garden. Many happy years were spent in the home. Walter?s large garden space, orchard and many workshops where his pride and joy. He loved to work his land and enjoyed fixing anything that had broken. He was never idle and many times would not rest from sun up ?til sun down. Walter never missed a Sunday church meeting. Family and religion were paramount to him. He was very active in the LDS church and was always the first to help a family in need. Surviving are Joan Ashliman, Providence. Children: Randy Vicky Blaylock, Richmond. Vickie Scott Emberton, West Jordan/Twin Falls. Danny Dee Blaylock, Twin Falls. Sharlene Blaylock, Smithfield. Melody Mark Sheldon, Smithfield. Tanya Nilson, Murray. Camia Brant Haslam, Nibley. Fourteen grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Sisters Maude Anne Stark and Maureen Leonard Butler both of Buhl. There was a big celebration on Pioneer Day as ?Nana? welcomed Walter back home to be reunited with his family and friends that passed before. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29, 2002 at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 North, Logan, UT followed by bagpipes and Military Honors at Providence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Walt would have preferred vegetables anyway, please make contributions to Nelson Funeral Home for Walter Blaylock.