Leon Clyde Blasingame, or "Clyde", as he was known to friends and family, was received into the arms of his Savior on Sunday, June 9th, 2024. He was born in Camp Hill, AL on Aug. 6, 1931.

Growing up and continuing through his adulthood, his life was centered around working on his family's farm, church, reading his Bible and living his life for Jesus Christ. After high school graduation, Clyde was accepted to the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, where he also played for their football team. During this time, Clyde was introduced to his beloved wife, Joyce. Shortly after their marriage, Clyde was drafted into the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict, where he served in Alaska as an MP Officer. After serving his time in the military, Clyde and Joyce settled back into their lives and began to raise a family in Hampton, VA with Clyde returning to his job at the Newport News Shipbuilding. They were blessed with three children, Renae, Lee and Ben, who they also raised in the church. The family spent many years active as members of Tabernacle Baptist and Open Door Baptist Churches in Newport News. In the early 90's, Clyde retired from the shipyard after over 40 years of service and began to enjoy his life in retirement. His favorite activity was fishing in the Outer Banks of NC and in the Chesapeake Bay. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they returned to Alaska on a cruise and visited the sights where they lived as newlyweds. Clyde also had an active interest in Gemology and loved spending time with his family, especially at Christmas. In his later years, Clyde and his wife moved in with his son, Lee in Williamsburg. There, he attended Faith Fellowship Church and devoutly cared for his wife during her illness until she passed away in 2016, just prior to their 61st wedding anniversary. Clyde moved to Charleston, SC in 2021 to live with his son, Ben and his wife, Dawn. While in Charleston, he attended Solid Rock Bible Baptist Church. He was lovingly cared for in his three years with them, spending his time eating good home cooked food, studying the Word of God and praying & singing His praises.

Clyde is survived by his children, Lee (Shawn) and Ben (Dawn); grandchildren, Grant and Danielle; and great-grandchild, Owen. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Joyce and daughter, Renae.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 20th at 1:00 PM at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home located at 210 Harpersville Rd. in Newport News. The service will be immediately following at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations be sent to the Missions Outreach at the Solid Rock Bible Baptist Church,1570 Mathis Ferry Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.