Statesboro city councilmen and others spoke highly Monday of former Councilman Thomas Norwood "Tommy" Blitch Jr., who died Sunday under hospice care. He was 82.
The retired banker made a positive difference with his influence as councilman, said current Statesboro City Councilman Gary Lewis, who served with Blitch during his terms on the council from 2005 to 2012.
"Tommy Blitch will be sadly missed," Lewis said. "He was one of the best councilmen I ever worked with, and he has been hard to replace since he left."
The Class of 1950 Statesboro High School graduate served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After leaving the military, he attended Georgia Teachers College, where he received a Bachelor of Education.
After working with an oil company for years, Blitch began his career with Sea Island Bank in Statesboro and retired as a senior vice president lending officer following 30 years of service.
"I am very sad. I've known Mr. Tommy all my life," said City Councilman John Riggs, who also worked with Blitch at the bank. "I feel blessed I got to know him and privileged to work with him. He was a class act, an absolute asset to the community."
In addition to serving in the Statesboro city council, Blitch also served on the Bulloch County Hospital Authority for many years, as well as the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, Statesboro Lions Club, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Georgia Southern University Foundation and Southern Boosters.
A member of Statesboro First Baptist Church since age 8, he and his wife, Becky, held membership in the Open Door Sunday School Class.
"I am very saddened to hear of the passing of former councilman Tommy Blitch," said City Councilman Travis Chance. "Mr. Tommy was a good man and a diligent servant of this community. He and I developed a great relationship, and I will always value the time we served together. May God bless Mr. Tommy, Mrs. Becky and all of the Blitch friends and family."
City Councilman Phil Boyum was elected to the District 1 seat Blitch vacated in 2012 because of health reasons.
"Tommy was a good man and well-respected in the district I inherited from him," Boyum said Monday. "Even toward the end of his tenure when signs of his illness started to show, he was sharp as a tack when it came to budget issues and banking matters. While this is a sad day, I know he's in a better place and free from his earthly burdens."
Visitation for Blitch will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Statesboro First Baptist Church with Dr. H. William Perry officiating, assisted by Dr. John Waters. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before the service.
Interment will follow in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.
Past and present Statesboro city councilmen, Mayor Jan Moore and former Mayor Joe Brannen are included as honorary pallbearers.
"I am proud to have served with Tommy Blitch," Brannen said. "He was committed to represent the people of Statesboro. He was honest, sincere and always did the right thing. He will continue to be missed - he was an outstanding citizen."
Moore said Blitch was "dedicated ... and a proud resident of the city. He was a true public servant."
Each councilman, Moore and Brannen extended condolences and prayers to the Blitch family.
The family requested memorial contributions be made to the following: the Statesboro First Baptist Church Building Fund, 108 N. Main St., Statesboro, GA 30458; Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459; the Alzheimer's Association (Coastal Region), 201 Television Circle, Savannah, GA 31406; or the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY, 10305.
Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.