POLAND, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Loving spouse, father and grandfather, James “Ricky” Blume, Jr., age 71, of Poland, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 9, 2023, at St. Elizabeth’s Boardman Hospital.

He was born April 2, 1952, in Austin, Texas, a son of the late James and Shirley (Locklair) Blume, Sr. 

James graduated in 1970 from Summerville High School in Summerville, South Carolina.

He married Erin P. (McGarry) Blume on May 10, 1997 and they were able to share 26 wonderful years together. 

He was employed as a union pipefitter with Local 295-Jacksonville and traveled the country extensively.

In addition to spending time with his family, he loved the outdoors and would hunt and fish whenever he could. James was a member of the Leetonia Sportsman Club. In his free time, he enjoyed watching football and golf. Although he lived in Ohio for over 20 years, he still had his Southern drawl which everyone loved. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a jokester at heart. Everyone that spent time with James considered him their comic relief. 

He forever touched the lives of his wife, Erin P. (McGarry) Blume of Poland, Ohio; children, Maegan (Tara) Moore of Richmond, Virginia and Ireland Blume of Boardman, Ohio; grandchildren, Cooper and Della Moore, both of Richmond, Virginia and in-laws, Kay Blume, Ed (Nonnie) McGarry, Liz Schmid, Gus (Terry) McGarry, Kevin (Kathy) McGarry, Maureen (Marty) Capito and Mack (Dana) McGarry. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Shirley Blume, Sr.; brothers, Steven and William Blume and mother-in-law, Katherine McGarry. 

Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S. Silvat, Inc. Share memories or send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.

A television tribute will air Wednesday, October 18, at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.