James A. "Tony" Blandford , 72, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Grandview Hospital with his loving wife by his side. He was born January 3, 1945 in Springfield, KY to Louis and Ethel (Caraco) Blandford. Tony was the devoted husband of Elsie M. (Thomas) Blandford for 35 years. They were married in Louisville, KY on November 7, 1981. He graduated from Trinity High School in Louisville, KY and retired from Navistar, where he was an audit controller for over 45 years.

Tony loved to golf with his golfing buddies and was a volunteer in the lunch program at the Huber Heights Senior Center, where he also served as a trustee. He loved to barbecue, loved his dogs Gage and Rusty, enjoyed working in the yard and taking care of things around the house. He loved to talk, was a great friend to all who knew him, and he enjoyed sports, especially cheering for his favorite team, the University of Kentucky. He was dearly loved by his wife, family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Tony is survived by his wife; one daughter Carrie (Jamie) Barnes; two sons Jay (Sharon) Blandford and Hunter (Michelle) Blandford; three grandsons Wyatt and Preston Blandford and Grant Barnes; a great grandson Roman Barnes; one brother Dick (Joyce) Blandford; nieces and nephews who knew him as "Bear". He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Beverly Cissell; and two brothers Buddy and Tommy Blandford.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road, Dayton, OH. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 pm at the funeral home.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Huber Heights Senior Center, 6428 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights, OH 45424.

A special note may be left for the family at NewcomerDayton.com.