Obituary of Blaine Thomas Eldridge

Blaine Thomas Eldridge, 70, of Webster, passed away in his home after a long battle with cancer on June 18, 2012. Blaine was born in Livingston, Tennessee to the late Robert Lafayette and Mary Irene Thomas Eldridge on November 4, 1941. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from George Peabody University in Nashville, TN, and his Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Georgia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969. Blaine taught sculpture and glass blowing at Western Carolina University, and was the owner of the Off Hand Glass Shop, Riverwood Shops of Dillsboro, N.C... He was talented in glass blowing and working in stained glass. He served as President of the Jackson County Arts Council and was an active member of the Kudzu Players where he enjoyed working backstage, and as an actor in many productions. He loved art, playing guitar, carving, blues music and people. A Loving father and husband, Blaine had a passion for life and he believed he was blessed by all those who loved him. Besides his parents, Blaine was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Gilbert Eldridge He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Fitzallen Yow Eldridge of the home Daughter- Amanda Eldridge and son-in-law Lauren Moses Dunn of Plano, Texas A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 PM Monday July 9, 2012 at the Webster Methodist Church. A gathering of friends will follow at the Eldridge home in Webster. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the WestCare Hospice, 132 Sylva Plaza, Sylva, NC 28779, Webster Methodist Church, PO Box 2345, Cullowhee, NC 28723, the Webster Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice. An online registry is available at Appalachianfuneralservices.com . .