Blaine Allen Earon

Blaine Allen Earon, age 90, of Hoschton passed away Monday, June 3, 2019. Mr. Earon grew up in Altoona, PA and attended Altoona High School.  He enlisted in the Navy after high school and is a World War II veteran.  After his honorable discharge, he played collegiate football at Duke University and played defensive end for the Blue Devils in 1949 to 1951. He was known for his quickness at the position.  Under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coach Wallace Wade, he achieved both first-team All-American, first-team All-Southern Conference, and Lineman of the Week honors for his crucial defensive plays upsetting Georgia Tech in 1949.  He also was named “Player of the Week” by the AP in 1949 and All-Conference in 1950 and 1951.  Mr. Earon was a 1950 AP All-American selection and named to the Duke Legends of Football in 1997.  Selected by Detroit in the 1952 NFL Draft, he appeared in two NFL World Championship games in 1952 and 1953, winning both.  In 1953 he married Betty Talley of Laurinburg, NC and left the Lions after two years to start a family.  Following his football career, he became a sales manager for 39 years at Florida Steel Corporation in NC, SC, and finally settled in GA.  Blaine played a big role in major construction projects throughout the Southeast by furnishing steel for high rises, hospitals, highways, nuclear structures, bridges, dams, schools, stadiums, malls and military bases.  Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Betty Earon; sons Craig Earon and wife Sandy of Hiawassee, Michael Earon and wife Wendy of Jefferson; daughters Sheree Whigham and husband Ed of Jefferson, Stacy Milner and husband Lat of Hoschton; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives. A Service of Celebration will be held at 11:00 am Friday, June 7, 2019 at Lawson Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. Roman D. Roldan will be officiating.  Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren Chris, Alex, Andy, Kerry, Zach, Kacie, Shane, Haley, Josh and Matt.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia at themedicalcenterfoundation.org.  Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.

12 thoughts on “Blaine Allen Earon”

  1. My Dad was a wonderful father to grow up with. He taught us to value hard work, family and honesty in everything we do. I can still see him on a hill watching me practice football in high school. I can still see him late at night waiting in a fast food parking lot as I closed up at the age of 13.

    Dad was always available to us to talk about anything we were interested in. His guidance inspired us to always he fair and work hard. He demonstrated those traits daily. He was a true friend, and a strong person to emulate.

    He will always live in my memory, and I already miss him!

    1. You’re father was always a treasure to be around. You are blessed to have such a wonderful father. I loved having him as my father-in-law. He will be forever loved and missed.

  2. I had a feeling when Betty M called me she had sad news. I knew Blaine was not well, but I was not aware of his acute condition. He was the jolliest of anyone I have ever known.
    Warm Regards to all the Earon family

    1. It was a surprise to all of us. The day before, i talked with him and had hopes he was getting better. Sometime hope is not enough, but he had a great life and a family that loved him dearly!

  3. Cathy and I are very sorry for your loss. Blaine was a wonderful person and an awesome dad. We send our deepest sympathy to the family. He is now with our Lord.

  4. Cousin Sue and Amy from Michigan here. Fond memories of his smile and great disposition! We know he will be missed. Champion on and off the field.

  5. Blaine was a super thoughtful and loving father-in-law. I will always cherish the times that I spent with him. We had some of the most lively and sincere conversations through the years. He will live in my heart forever. ❤

  6. Belated condolences on the passing of Blaine. I got to know him when he was inducted into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Leon Hart, his Detroit Lions teammate and former Heisman Trophy winner, was his presenter. Blaine exhibited class and humility with a touching speech focused on his family and hometown of Altoona, PA. We will remember him fondly.

    Neil Rudel
    President, Blair County Sports Hall of Fame
    http://www.blaircountysportshof.com

  7. Craig Earon I met your father many years ago and I was glad to have net him I was lining in Altoona when I did get to meet him, and after that we talked about football a lot and when he played for Detroit I was so honored to have met him.
    your father had did something special for me I had bought one of his rookie cards when he played for Duke I’ve talked to him often as I would make a phone call to him to see how he was doing, as I was saying I asked him if II sent him that card if he would be so kind to sign it for me witch he did and that was a wonderful thing he did for me. after hearing about him passing I felt A part of me gone then I put together a scrap book with his card team photo of 1952 team and the paper clippings your father sent I put them all together in him memory. and when I called him I’ve met your mom Betty also wonderful lady, if you would happen to read this you could contact me by sending me an Email.

  8. Blaine was a great guy. I worked with him at Florida Steel in the 80´s. In 1986, he made it possible for my husband to attend the Masters golf tournament for the first time. That´s a memory we often recount. I enjoyed hearing Blaine speak of his football career and admired his championship ring. My condolences to the family. I lost my mom in January of 2019, so I know the heartache and longing.

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