Obituary: Frederick H. Blazer, Jr., founder of Blazer Electric Supply

Blazer was born Sept. 12, 1928 in Galesburg, IL, and enrolled at Purdue University. He enrolled at the young age of 16 and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering degree. His first employment after college graduation was with Honeywell Inc. in Minneapolis. While with Honeywell, he traveled to Fort Knox, KY,  for orientation on tank ammunition systems, when he met a cute receptionist named Suzanne Brown who became his wife of 65 years before preceding him in death in 2019.

Fred later joined his father in purchasing a small wholesale plumbing distributor, The Judd Co., in Austin, MN, in 1954. Fred added electrical material to their offering and grew the company to four locations before selling the business in 1982. It was in Austin that Fred and Suzanne raised their four children, Michael Douglas , Julia Lynn, Frederick Steven and Gregory Huson.

Fred, Steve and Mike relocated to Colorado in 1984 and started Blazer Electric Supply, and Fred retired in 1995. Fred and Suzanne moved to Cincinnati in 2012, where daughter Julie helped them tremendously in their final years.

Fred will be remembered as a brilliant and generous man. He had a mind for engineering, mechanics, business and common sense. His success in business can be attributed to his understanding of business metrics, customer service and generosity to his employees. Although having a quiet and reserved personality, he was respected by all who knew him for his knowledge and ethical treatment of others. After retirement, Fred spent many years as a volunteer for Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) in Colorado Springs, advising young entrepreneurs with starting and financing small businesses.

Fred’s passions were flying, fishing, finance and family. He made more than 50 fishing trips to Canada, mostly with his sons, friends and business associates, and mostly in his Mooney or Piper Twin Comanche airplane. He loved to travel, and did so extensively with Suzanne all over the world. Fred was also an expert bridge, hearts and gin rummy card player, and always looked forward to his bridge games at the Kenwood Senior Living Community. But most of all, he loved his family. His support and encouragement was unwavering. Fred stressed the importance of a good education and led by example when it came to teaching hard work.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Mary Blazer, and wife Suzanne. Survivors include sister Janet; his children Michael (Rae Ann); Julia (Barry); F. Steven (Carolyn); and Gregory (Galen). He also had six grandchildren: Trevor Blazer (Alea); Casey Rowley (Josh); Courtney Blazer; Hannah Elku; Madeline Berman (Noah); Grace Bianconi (Patrick); and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Fred will be held Aug. 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Broadmoor Community Church in Colorado Springs, CO. A reception will follow at the Broadmoor Hotel.

Memorial contributions can be made in his honor at Pikes Peak Humane Society in Colorado Springs (www.hsppr.org) or Save the Animals Foundation in Cincinnati (www.staf.org).