To know Jay Bloomer was to understand what he considered to be the most important aspects of life: fellowship, family and an unrelenting desire to get to know and help your neighbor.  Jay Bloomer was a special soul who left an everlasting mark on those who crossed his path and he made to sure cross as many paths as he could.

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He grew up in Kingsport, TN where he was a star basketball player at Dobyns-Bennett High School and proud member of the tribe. True to form, Jay was voted ‘Best All Around’ by his classmates.  Thereafter, Jay attended the University of Tennessee where his love of all things Vols began, but - most importantly - he met his soulmate, Meg (Kinney). They married shortly after graduation and lived in Columbia, TN, St. Louis, MO, and Orlando, FL before relocating back to Anderson, SC where Meg grew up.  Throughout their journey they made lasting friendships in every community and welcomed three beautiful children (Elle, Brooks, and Miles) who were the apples of Jay’s eye.

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Jay touched everyone with his positive energy, witty personality, and easy-going nature.  Whether you were a family member, lifelong friend, or casual acquaintance; he loved unconditionally and always seemed to find time for everyone. Jay's world revolved around his family and endless network of friends.

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Jay was cherished by all who knew him and had an amazing ability to bring people together.  For his friends, Jay was not only frequently the ‘life of the party’, but he was often the one that brought everyone together.  He had a unique ability to intermingle multiple circles of friends that may not typically interact with each other, but if you included Jay in the mix then it just felt natural.  He always recognized what brought people together and his personality was usually the catalyst in recognizing these common bonds.

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 On October 15, 2019, Jay passed away after a short but courageous battle with a rare form of T-Cell Lymphoma. The Jay Bloomer Foundation was formed to honor Jay's legacy and do what Jay did best; bring people together and help others. Jay loved the quote: "The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit" and he dedicated his life to the principle. Always the first to volunteer to help others, he never hesitated to give you the shirt off his back, while expecting nothing in return. The Jay Bloomer Foundation will do exactly this through its scholarship efforts recognizing young students who exhibit many of the same qualities that Jay did.