Derrick L. Blaine

With the deepest sorrow, we announce that Derrick Lance Blaine, 64 a beloved husband, brother, family member and friend passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 6, 2020 while at home. Lance leaves a legacy of love and wonderful memories. We are grateful for each and every day we got to see his glowing smile, and for the good times and all the jokes we shared.He was born in East Orange New Jersey on March 20, 1956 and was the son of Richard and Frances Griffin Blaine. He attended primary school in Piscataway New Jersey and graduated from New Brunswick Vocational High School where he concentrated on carpentry. Shortly after graduation, he joined the US Army and was part of 19th Combat Engineer Battalion. He served until his honorable discharge in 1982. While in the Army he achieved several honors including, Rifle M-16 Special Services Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Hand Grenade Expert Qualified Badge. Upon his return home he held various positions in carpentry and manufacturing before settling on a career as tractor trailer driver. He retired after more than 30 years of driving in 2019. He enjoyed sports. Loved the New York Yankees and was an avid football fan, especially of the Washington Redskins. Lance's yard was the envy of the neighborhood and worthy of a spot in Home and Garden. Cooking was another of his favorite pastimes. He was always seeking new recipes and sharing recipes with family and friends, He enjoyed being with his family and spent countless hours on the phone with long distance family members, he loved to talk, nonstop. Lance really enjoyed jazz music and he and his wife frequently attended local jazz festivals and concerts. After a long courtship (10 years) and several wrong turns, he married the love of his life Filomena Ruiz on October 27, 2000. Lance is survived by his wife Filomena; Mother Frances Griffin Blaine of Acworth Georgia; his brothers Richard Garth Blaine of Simpsonville South Carolina, and Jeffery Alan Blaine of Acworth Georgia; his sisters Karen Blaine Andrews of Decatur Georgia and Robyn Ann Major of Acworth Georgia; a special aunt Audrey Hatcher of Trenton New Jersey; his nieces Crystal Estrada of Sanford North Carolina, Cheryl Garrison of Erwin, North Carolina, Shelby Bridges of Hiram Georgia; Morghan Tanner of Decatur Georgia; Alexis Blaine of Simpsonville South Carolina and Alicia Hockett of Atlanta Georgia; his nephews Richard Alan Blaine of Dallas Georgia; Kelly Andrews of Norfolk Virigina; Jordan Blaine of Sanford North Carolina and Jeffrey Blaine of Spring Lake North Carolina; aunts, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends. His nieces and nephews on his wife's side affectionately referred to him as Uncle Sugar. He was preceded in death by his Father Richard Ellis Blaine. Calling period: 1:00 to 2:30 PM, Thursday, August 13 at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St., Allentown. Private memorial services. Burial with military honors promptly at 9:30 AM, Friday, August 14 at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Rd. Annville, PA 17003. Masks are required when attending services. Those we love don't go away; they walk by us every day. Unseen, unheard, but near, still loved, still missed and always very dear.