Blaine was one of those rare good souls that God privileges us to meet in our lives. I have never known someone so full of life, so caring for others and so warm in nature and spirit. I never had a brother, but Blaine filled that role for me.
From the moment we met, we had an instant connection. Having Blaine, Tricia, and the kids as next door neighbors was like having my family on the other side of the apartment wall. I recall all of the times we would all sit around the kitchen table, trading stories and sharing laughs.
Blaine worked so hard to get his degree at LSU and I remember all of the long hours he put in. Even with the school work and his other obligation, Blaine always had time for others. He was always quick with a word of encouragement and you always knew that he was sincerely interested in whatever you had to say.
He had a great sense of humor. He did a spot-on Curley Hallman imitation that never missed getting a laugh: "My players are fine young men. They prove that when you put your nose to the grindstone, good things are gunna happen."
When the family moved to their house in West Thibodaux, I also moved and lived only a few blocks away. The Saturday afternoons that we spent together watching LSU football and baseball were priceless and I will always cherish the memories. If he was working outside when I was taking one of my exercise walks through the neighborhood, we would have lengthy talks to catch up.
To know this man was to love him...and everyone who was lucky enough to know him did.
Blaine, I cannot tell you how much I wish we could all share another box of "Bully Bone" cookies and MSU chocolate milk together. God bless you and keep you safe until we meet again, my friend.
