Mr. Jackie Ray Bloom, age 75, of Yulee, passed away on Thursday afternoon, January 26, 2017 at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, FL.
Born in St. Francois County, Cantwell, 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 / 2007. 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 in his lap and carry on a conversation and listen to the advice and wisdom of an aging grandfather.
Mr. Bloom is 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, Fernandina Beach, FL, Donna Bloom and son in law, Charles, Farmington, MO, four grandchildren, Amanda Carter, Jessica Corbett, Melissa Bush, Garrett Bloom, seven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon on Monday, January 30, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard with Reverend Doug Sides of Yulee Baptist Church, officiating.
Mr. Bloom will be laid to rest beside his wife and son in Hughes Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Army Ceremonial Detail from Fort Stewart, GA.
Serving as pallbearers will be: Dan Peacock, Brian Clark, Doug Turner, Robert Severance, Steve Whitington and Wayne Baldwin.
His family will receive friends on Monday, at the funeral home, from 11:00 am until the hour of service.