Col. Edward M. “Ed” Blight, Jr., MD, of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully with family on February 2nd at the age of 77 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sharp to the end, he let it be known to all that he was “ready” and that nobody should be sad. Born in Santa Barbara, CA, to Ed and Betty Blight, Dr. Blight moved frequently as the son of an Army officer, earning his secondary certificate at King George V in Hong Kong. He graduated college from The Citadel, a proud member of the Class of ’58, and the first to graduate that school with a 4.0 GPA. He then earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Blight spent the next 20 years as an Army doctor, including a stretch as a Battle Group Surgeon at Ft. Bragg and ultimately rising to the rank of Colonel and the position of Chief of Urology at Tripler Hospital in Hawaii. He retired from the Army and finished his career in private practice, first at City of Faith Hospital in Tulsa, OK and finally at Loma Linda Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA. Survivors include son, Edward M. “Monty” Blight III, of Charlotte. and his wife, Wendy, and their children, Lauren and Edward IV “Bo”; and son, Paul Eric Blight, of Redlands, CA, and his wife, Michelle, and their children, Alexander and Elizabeth. Dr. Blight was preceded by his loving wife, Carolyn L. Blight MD, whom he met at UCSF Medical School and who was his best friend and constant companion. He was also preceded by son, David Linn Blight, who died at the age of two, and his only sister, Bobbie Turner, of Shelbyville, IL, with whom he shared a special bond. Dr. Blight combined rare intellect and deep humility. He was sarcastic and funny but never mean. He had high standards but never lost his temper. Everyone who knew Ed loved him, earning him the somewhat begrudging moniker of “Mr. Perfect” from his wife. Dr. Blight loved the Citadel, loved to read, loved the San Francisco Giants, and loved his family. But most of all, he loved God and lived his entire life from that Christian world view. In retirement, Dr. Blight remained active in medicine and Christian ministry through leadership positions with The Albanian Health Fund which included multiple trips to Albania, active participation at Christ Lutheran Church, and organizing and caring for the library at Mayflower church in Pacific Grove, CA. He also travelled extensively, first with his wife and later with friends and family. He also learned to cook and loved to prepare gourmet meals for guests. There will be a memorial service February 13, 2015 at 10:30 am in the chapel at Christ Lutheran Church, 4545 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, honorariums may be sent to the Charlotte Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 33000, Charlotte, NC 28233. T.H. Robertson Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family, www.throbertson.com.
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