Thomas Carlton Blalock

T. Carlton Blalock died September 16, 2014 at Rex Hospital following several years of declining health. He was born in Lucama, NC to the late Walter H. and Pearl B. Blalock and grew up on a livestock and tobacco farm. After graduation from Lucama High School, as president of his class, he enrolled at N.C. State College and his love of the Wolfpack never ended. He had football and basketball season tickets for more than 50 years and he seldom agreed with any referees call against his Wolfpack.His college education was interrupted by military service in the Signal Corps during World War II. He returned to N. C. State after his discharge to earn bachelors and masters degrees in Animal Science. He earned a Ph.D. in Extension Administration at the University of Wisconsin in 1963.In 1951 Carlton returned to N.C. State as a Dairy Specialist with the Agricultural Extension Service, later becoming Specialist-in-Charge. His career continued in administration at N.C. State as State 4-H Leader, Associate Director, and later Director of the Agricultural Extension Service and Associate Dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences until his retirement in 1981.Carlton received numerous National and State awards, including the Epsilon Sigma Phi Ruby Award for outstanding leadership during his Extension career. He was named to the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2006 in Washington D.C. In 2009 he received the NCSU Alumni Association Meritorious Service Award and the Universitys Watauga Medal in 2011.Following his retirement he became the first Executive Vice-President of the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Grange Mutual Insurance Company.Carlton was a member of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church for more than 60 years, serving as a deacon, assistant Sunday School Superintendent and on various church committees.An avid golfer he was a member of Raleigh Golf Association and could be found there nearly every Tuesday and Friday along with his Stockholder friends.Carlton was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Cornelia P. Blalock; two sons, Thomas Jr. of Atlanta, Walter of Raleigh; and daughter Phyllis B. Comer (Bob) of Chester, VA; two sisters Doris Maroney of Carmel, IN and Sara Munford (Bob) of Southern Shores, NC; and four grandchildren: Chloe and Oliver Blalock, Daniel and Allison Comer.He leaves behind many dear friends, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.At Carltons request no formal service will be held. There will be a private family service at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Blalock 4-H Teen Leadership Endowment: NCSU Campus Box 7645 Raleigh, NC 27695.