Thornbloom, Blair Emanuel

Blair Emanuel Thornbloom, 84, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at home on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the corner of Trailridge and East Post Road SE. Family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. There will be an additional visitation one hour before the service on Monday. Burial: Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Luncheon will follow burial at the church Cultural Hall.

Blair was born Dec. 8, 1928, in Moline, Ill., son of Olof Emanuel and Anna Axeline (Svensson) Thornbloom, who was born in Norrkoping-Oster Gothland, Sweden.

Blair started his musical career at the age of 9, playing with his two older brothers in Illinois. He was a gifted musician and soloist, coming to Cedar Rapids in 1949 to play accordion with The Kenny Hofer Band. Blair was drafted into service Dec. 12, 1950, and was stationed in Germany until his discharge on Nov. 29, 1952. While in service with the 2nd Armored Division he joined the musical group of Seven Texans and a Yank and they toured all through the European Command.

Upon his return to Cedar Rapids, Blair joined the Howdy Roberts Band, then Bob Preston, and had his own band, The Big Band Sound of Blair Thorn for 22 years. After the band broke up he went out on his own, playing at care centers for the past 22 years, going to 40 care centers a month. Due to poor health he cut back about five years ago and was still going to about 25 centers until the time of his death. Even though his body weakened and he went from a cane to a walker it didn't affect his beautiful singing voice and his keyboard artistry.

Blair was also a driver for New Process Laundry for 17 years and various other jobs to carry him through even though his music was his main interest. He married Leola Ann Sedlacek on Feb. 17, 1951, and they would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this coming February. They both enjoyed traveling and traveled all the states in the USA plus 44 foreign countries and were always on the go.

Survivors include his wife, “Lee”; and six nieces and nephews.

Blair was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clifford and Louie; mother-in-law, Bessie Sedlacek; brother-in-law, Marvin Sedlecek; and sisters-in-law, Wilma Schick and Kathryn Thornbloom.

Through the years he had been a member of the Musicians Union, board member with Czech Heritage Foundation (serving on the Scholarship Committee) and WFLA Lodge 262. He has been a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for almost 40 years and has completed many callings within the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Blair may be directed to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, c/o Bishop Darren Davenport, 617 Augusta Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403; The Czech Heritage Foundation, Czech & Slovak Museum & Library or a charity of your choice.

Please sign the online guest book for Blair at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Nov. 8, 2013 in The Gazette