Reverend Leon Edward Blaise

Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory, 1301 Neal Metcalf Road, Enterprise, AL 36330

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Posted by: MikeThompson
[email protected]
334-393-2273 or 334-347-2517
Date: Feb 14 2024 4:07 PM

Rev. Leon Edward Blaise, age 68, of Enterprise, AL, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at his home in Enterprise.

He was born and raised in Schenectady, NY, graduated from Linton High School in 1973, and graduated from Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) in Wollaston, MA, in 1978. At ENC, he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Hance. He confidently pursued God’s purpose for him to become a full-time minister, obtaining his Master of Divinity at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. 

He spent the first portion of his ministry as an associate pastor at Victory Hills Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, KS, followed by lead pastor at Church of the Nazarene in Taneytown, MD, First Church of the Nazarene in North Tonawanda, NY, and Grace Church of the Nazarene in Saratoga Springs, NY. He then served as the assistant to the district superintendent for the Upstate New York District Church of the Nazarene. 

When his tenure concluded in the district office, he served as the camp caretaker for the Nazarene District Camp in Brooktondale, NY. His time in Brooktondale was short as he missed serving in the local church. He soon took on an administrative pastor role at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene (Christ Community Church) in Camillus, NY, and also reignited his career as a radio host on the Mars Hill Network Christian Radio Station. During those years, he still missed his passion for preaching and accepted the role of pastor at First Church of the Nazarene in Moundsville, WV. After Moundsville, Leon and Barb moved to Butler, PA, where he served his final pastoral role at First Church of the Nazarene. As Barb’s fight with Parkinson’s worsened, he officially retired from formal ministry in the spring of 2021 to move closer to their sons.

The official pastoral titles were his main vocation, but he served many other roles including the District Secretary for the West Virginia North and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Districts, Chairman of the Ministerial Studies Board, Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Vice President, delegate to the Nazarene General Assembly and General NMI Conventions, and trustee on the Board of Trustees at ENC.

While Leon was most known for his ministry, he was also known for his love for his family, American history, and the outdoors. He and Barb raised two sons, Johnathan and Jeremy. During their childhood, Leon enjoyed being involved at their schools, often being requested to be the Master of Ceremonies for events like the spelling bee and the lip sync contest. Leon was a Boy Scout, making it to the rank of Life, and loved getting to make new camping memories with his sons when they were Boy Scouts. Leon enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and was a collector: stamps, baseball cards, coins, and lawn gnomes, and loved sharing his experiences with his sons. He was very particular; even when dressing casually he wore a button down shirt, long pants, and dress shoes. You would never catch him wearing shorts, a t-shirt, or sneakers, ever. He was a jack of all trades. He could fix almost anything and if he didn’t know how to do it, he taught himself. 

Ultimately, what mattered most to him was not his list of credentials or accomplishments. It was the people he had the privilege of loving and serving. He valued those relationships and even in retirement was enjoying friendships that were cultivated from some of his church assignments more than 40 years ago. Leon loved Jesus and spent his life sharing the Gospel. He loved his wife Barb and missed her every day. And he wished for nothing more than to have more time with his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Blaise, in March of 2023, and his parents Rufus Blaise and Doris Blaise. Survivors include his two sons Johnny Blaise (Katie), Coffee Springs, AL, and Jeremy Blaise (Lindsey), Jupiter, FL; sister Sandy Johnson (Alan); granddaughters Kasey, Reagan, Ashleigh, Emily, and Kaitlyn Blaise; grandsons Ryan (Maddie), Jackson, and Julian Blaise; great-grandchildren Rhett and Rylie Blaise.

Services will be held at the Butler Church of the Nazarene in Butler, PA, on a date to be announced.

You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website:   www.searcyfuneralhome.com .

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