Former Waycross Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Clarence Blount passed away at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, August 7. He was 96.
His parents were the late Mae Couch and Charlie B. Blount of Pierce County. Judge Blount graduated from Blackshear High School in 1943 as his class salutatorian. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1950 from the University of Georgia School of Law (Lumpkin Law School). He subsequently practiced law in Waycross and in 1965, joined Lamar (Swampy) Gibson and Baker McGee in the law firm of Gibson, McGee and Blount. Judge Blount also served as judge of the Waycross Police Court from 1961-1981.
In 1981, he was appointed the third Superior Court judge of the Waycross Judicial Circuit by then Governor George Busbee and served in that position for 24 years. After his retirement in 2004, he continued to serve as a senior judge, actively hearing cases until age 91.
Judge Blount was instrumental in creating the Waycross Rehabilitation Workshop and served two terms as its president, including as its first president. He also served on the Ware County Board of Family and Children’s Services for 18 years. He was a member of the Georgia and Waycross Bar Associations and served as past president of the Waycross Bar Association. He was a member of the Waycross Exchange Club, joining in 1952 and served as its past president for two terms. He has been a member of Grace Episcopal Church since 1953, serving on multiple vestries and as a past Sunday school teacher.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Augusta Arnold Blount, a son, Jeff Blount and his four brothers, Charles, JT, Horace and Leon Blount.
He is survived by his daughter, Patty Blount of Mercer Island, WA (Ilan Zawadzki); his son Brian Blount of Waycross (Rhonda); granddaughters Miriam Zawadzki and Tiffany Goggin (Sean); grandsons Brian Blount Jr., John Michael Blount, Jonathan Zawadzki, Benjamin Zawadzki, and a great granddaughter, Margaret Goggin. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Doris Blount as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday in Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 401 Pendleton St. Waycross GA, 31501.
Miles Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
