Blaine Allen Earon

Blaine Allen Earon, age 90, of Hoschton passed away Monday, June 3, 2019. Mr. Earon grew up in Altoona, PA and attended Altoona High School.  He enlisted in the Navy after high school and is a World War II veteran.  After his honorable discharge, he played collegiate football at Duke University and played defensive end for the Blue Devils in 1949 to 1951. He was known for his quickness at the position.  Under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coach Wallace Wade, he achieved both first-team All-American, first-team All-Southern Conference, and Lineman of the Week honors for his crucial defensive plays upsetting Georgia Tech in 1949.  He also was named “Player of the Week” by the AP in 1949 and All-Conference in 1950 and 1951.  Mr. Earon was a 1950 AP All-American selection and named to the Duke Legends of Football in 1997.  Selected by Detroit in the 1952 NFL Draft, he appeared in two NFL World Championship games in 1952 and 1953, winning both.  In 1953 he married Betty Talley of Laurinburg, NC and left the Lions after two years to start a family.  Following his football career, he became a sales manager for 39 years at Florida Steel Corporation in NC, SC, and finally settled in GA.  Blaine played a big role in major construction projects throughout the Southeast by furnishing steel for high rises, hospitals, highways, nuclear structures, bridges, dams, schools, stadiums, malls and military bases.  Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Betty Earon; sons Craig Earon and wife Sandy of Hiawassee, Michael Earon and wife Wendy of Jefferson; daughters Sheree Whigham and husband Ed of Jefferson, Stacy Milner and husband Lat of Hoschton; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives. A Service of Celebration will be held at 11:00 am Friday, June 7, 2019 at Lawson Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. Roman D. Roldan will be officiating.  Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren Chris, Alex, Andy, Kerry, Zach, Kacie, Shane, Haley, Josh and Matt.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia at themedicalcenterfoundation.org.  Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.