On July 11, 2024, Lt. Col. (Retired) James Steven Blesse joined his comrades in the United States Military Academy’s Long Gray Line. Ever the soldier, he fought pulmonary fibrosis and cancer to the very end. Prior to moving to the Chamberlin in Fort Monroe, VA in 2023, he and his wife Bobbie spent over 20 years in Smithfield, VA.

Jim was born in California in 1939, son of Brig. General Frederick Blesse and wife Lucy. Upon graduation from Thomas Jefferson HS in Richmond, VA, in 1957, Jim was appointed to West Point where he was commissioned upon graduation in 1961 into the U.S. Army Infantry branch. He was always proud to have been in Special Forces, a Ranger and a Paratrooper. Among other medals, Jim received the nation’s third highest metal, the Silver Star for valor under fire in Vietnam. His life epitomized “Duty, Honor, Country”. During his Army career, he received Masters degrees from Georgia Tech and the University of Texas, and after retiring from the Army in 1981, was employed as a systems analyst in the government research and development arena.

Jim and his high school and West Point sweetheart, Bobbie Yates, found each other again 20 years later at a high school reunion and were married in 1985. They traveled the world and had a beautiful life together. Wherever he lived, Jim accumulated a wide circle of good friends from all corners of his life. He was active in Kiwanis, Christ Church, IOW Museum, Gatling Pointe Boaters Club and his Company A-2 West Point activities.

Jim is survived by his wife Bobbie Yates Blesse, his children Joe (Susie), Debbie, Steve, (Lisa) and grandchildren Jake, Logan, Claire, Joey and Josh. He embraced Bobbie’s children as his own, Meg Souder (John Williams) and Bryan Souder (Stephanie) as well as grandchildren Hannah, Grace and Ellie. He is survived by his sister Joan Griffin, formerly of Smithfield and now Mechanicsville, VA.

A memorial service will be held on August 23, 2024 at 11:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield. Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Battlefield Trust, 1156 15th St. NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005.

Be thou at peace.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.