Barry Steven Blount made his Heavenly ascent on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Barry was born in Roanoke on July 1, 1958, and resided there his entire life. Barry was a faithful career employee of our local school systems in this amazing valley which many reading this call home. He was employed for over 40 years with Roanoke City Schools, and after his initial retirement from the city, he began working for Salem City Schools, particularly Salem High School.  As many of his school family know, Barry had a dedication to the schools like very few employees have. In fact, these schools were essentially his life, as there was nowhere else he'd rather have been.  Barry worked as long as he possibly could, and far longer than he should have until his declining health pulled him away from the very thing he cherished, which was his deep, unwithering dedication to his school family, and craft.  Barry's life on this earth was focused deeply on his career, however, he did have a deep passion for sports.  Barry was the most dedicated fan of Dale Earnhardt, his racing hero, before his untimely death at Daytona in 2001.  Many of you will understand that once he passed, racing was simply never the same, so, like many reading, Barry's dedication withered.  During and beyond the death of one of his heroes, Barry had a deep love for all things football, college or professional, it did not matter, if Barry was able, he was tuned in!  Let's not forget about basketball, if the previous two mentioned sports were not being broadcast, he would tune in and be consumed with this sport.  Barry also had a fondness for old Television Westerns, and we can still hear the reverberations of the sound of the blaring television with the likes of The Virginian, Gunsmoke, or one of the classic films or shows of a bygone era.

Barry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janice, his parents Irvin and Dorothy Blount, and his brother Richard Blount.

He is survived by his stepdaughter Stephanie Brown and son-in-law Jeffrey, his sister Deborah Blount, and special nephews Ambrose "Bruce", and Chima Ezeigbo.

The family would like to thank Barry's treasured friends Dean Johnson and Jenny Lenguyen for being so good to Barry for so many years.  We all know just how much Barry cherished his friends, as they were often the center of his life.  We'd also like to thank his entire Salem and Roanoke City Schools family, as there are likely thousands of people who have known and cared for Barry, thank you all for your kindness.

Adhering to Barry's wishes, he requested that no service was to be held, however, before his passing, he indicated that an informal celebration of his life would be acceptable.  Honoring the wishes of Barry, a celebration will be determined and scheduled for a future date.