Obituary of E. George Blain

Ernest George Blain was born, May 14, 1929 in Globe, AZ to Harmon and Veda Blain. He spent most of his childhood years growing up in the hills of this small mining town in central Az. There are many stories about his school age years everything from his primary teacher saying that she would leave the church if she had to teach “that Blain kid” one more time, to taking chemistry in the dean's office, because he was banned from the chemistry lab. There are also tales of trading his moms Cornish pasties for the tortillas made by the mom of his Hispanic friend, every Saturday morning.

Dad served in the Navy, mostly peeling potatoes in southern Texas. After his military service he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Northern States Mission. Upon his return a bare foot woman playing the organ caught his eye. He managed to get this womans’ father to invite him over for Sunday dinner. He later married Alayne Anderson in the LDS Mesa temple. They soon had five children, and a busy family, work and church life. Dad worked hard to support his large family and retired from Hughes Aircraft. He spent many years of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Some of his callings were, seminary teacher, bishop of the ninth ward, high counselor, and stake president. During his service as stake president, the Rincon stake was created. It became his responsibility to oversee the building of the new stake center. He also spent many years as a temple worker at the Mesa, AZ temple.

Dad loved is children, but he adored his grandchildren; all 30 of them. He loved fishing, and camping. Every Saturday morning he made breakfast for his children, and everyone else who would show up. He would make you anything you wanted, and many times made a large variety of breakfast foods. This tradition continued for his grandchildren as well. Some grandchildren would take the leftover pancakes home so that their dog could bury them in the backyard.

He was an amazing public speaker, even grandchildren loved to listen to him give conference talks. Other fond memories shared by his grandchildren are: going to Wendy's for Frosties, playing at the park, planting his half acre garden in the mountains, Fourth of July parades, picking apples in the neighbor’s orchard and filling his boat with apricots and driving them home to Tucson from Thatcher, still in the boat. He never called anyone by their given names. He had special nicknames for everyone, including the pets.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alayne; 5 children, Mariann Nelson, Steven (Lucinda) Blain, Marsha (Craig) Porter, Marilyn (Matthew) Johnson, Thomas (Carrie) Blain. He has 30 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, with several more on the way. He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, 2 son in laws, and a grandson and granddaughter, one great grandson, as well as many beloved pets.