Garland Russell Blum died Jan. 2, 2019 at age 90. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Glenda; son, Gary, and daughter-in-law, Lori; daughter, Sherry Begley (Kenneth Cavanaugh); daughter, Andrea; six grandchildren, Amanda, Melissa, Emily (Josh), Abby (Jon), Kristie (Matt) and Dakota; three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Aubrey, Harrison and Graham Russell, named in his honor.

Mr. Blum was a true-blue, hard-working family man. God and family meant everything to him, and he proved it by the way he lived his life. He spent all his years doing everything for others and never asked for anything in return.

He was born April 25, 1928, in St. Louis, Mo. to Irene Blum and raised in Houston County, Tenn. He graduated from Erin High School in 1946 and moved to Detroit in 1948 to work in the steel industry.

A stint in the Army followed from 1950 to 1952 during the Korean War. He attained the rank of sergeant while stationed in Germany with the 194th Field Artillery unit. He spent five years in the Army National Guard Reserves after his discharge.

He met his future wife, the former Glenda Gray, a native of Detroit, while boarding with her grandmother on Military Street in Detroit after his discharge. The young couple liked to attend movies in downtown Detroit, particularly at the Hollywood Theater.

He moved to Lincoln Park in 1958, and on Sept. 26, 1959, the couple were married at Gilead Baptist Church in Allen Park.

Mr. Blum worked as a traffic supervisor at McLouth Steel for 32 years, until 1980. He went on to work at AW Auto Supply from 1984 to 1995 and also worked with his son, a Mac Tools distributor, for 30 years.

He loved sports of all kinds, especially his beloved Detroit Tigers, and was the biggest supporter at all his grandchildren's sports games, dance recitals and plays. He enjoyed coin collecting, bowling, miniature golf, cardinals, Chinese checkers and electric trains, which reminded him of his home in the hills of west Tennessee.

Mr. Blum never met a stranger and would chat to anyone like they were old friends. In return, he was loved by everyone who met him.

Visitation will take place Sunday, January 6th from 3pm-6pm with Services at 6pm. Monday family & friends are welcome from 12pm until 2pm. at J.L. Peters Funeral Home, 3880 Fort St., Lincoln Park (313-928-6500). Military Honors Monday 3pm at Michigan Memorial Cemetery. Please sign the register book & share a memory at: www.jlpetersfuneralhome.com

Donations in honor of Garland to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142.