Mr. Jackie Ray Bloom, 75, of Yulee, passed away Thursday afternoon, Jan. 26, 2017, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.
Born in Cantwell, St. Francois County, Mo., he was the youngest and last living of five children born to the late Louie and Vadys Herzog Bloom. After high school Mr. Bloom joined the U.S. Army, where he served until being honorably discharged from Fort Benning, Ga., in 1962. In 1967, he married Betty Ruth Garrett of LaGrange, Ga. The newlyweds made their first home southwest of Atlanta in Palmetto, Ga. Mr. Bloom worked as a long-distance truck driver with Signal Delivery while living in the Atlanta area; as well as after moving to Nassau County in 1975. He retired in 2006-07. After retiring, he joined his wife in playing many rounds of golf at Pine Lakes Golf and Country Club. They enjoyed time spent fishing together as well as Mr. Bloom’s passion for NASCAR. In his most recent years, his eyes would sparkle when his great-grandchildren, Carter and Khloe, would visit, and 8-year-old Carter would climb up on his lap and carry on a conversation and listen to the advice and wisdom of an aging grandfather.
Mr. Bloom was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, who passed away in 2015, and a son, Jackie R. Bloom Jr., who passed away in 1986.
He leaves behind his daughters, Debra Riley Carter and son-in-law Joe of Fernandina Beach, and Donna Bloom and son-in-law Charles of Farmington, Mo.; four grandchildren, Amanda Carter, Jessica Corbett, Melissa Bush and Garrett Bloom; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 30, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard with the Rev. Doug Sides of Yulee Baptist Church officiating.
Mr. Bloom was laid to rest beside his wife and son in Hughes Cemetery, where military honors were accorded by the U.S. Army Ceremonial Detail from Fort Stewart, Ga.
Serving as pallbearers were Dan Peacock, Brian Clark, Doug Turner, Robert Severance, Steve Whitington and Wayne Baldwin.
His family received friends at the funeral home Monday until the hour of service.
Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors