BLAIN, Lester Merrin "Buddy" 88, died on July 20, 2016, at Tampa General Hospital following a recent stroke. Buddy was born in Plant City on Aug. 9, 1927, as a fourth-generation Floridian and great-grandson of the Plant City pioneer Captain Francis William Merrin, who founded The Plant City Courier in 1884. After graduating from Plant City High School, Buddy served as a pharmacist's mate in the U.S. Navy. He then entered the University of Florida, earned a degree in industrial arts, and taught shop at Plant City High School. He farmed and ranched cattle in Plant City and became a Prudential Life Insurance Company agent. He then returned to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida College of Law. After graduating from law school, Buddy worked in Tallahassee as an assistant attorney general in the Statutory Revision and Bill Drafting Department. He then joined the Tampa law firm Gibbons, Tucker, McEwen, Smith, Cofer & Taub and later founded Blain & Cone. He served as counsel to the Committee on Natural Resources of the Florida Senate and for 15 years as general counsel to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Buddy was instrumental in the enactment of the Florida Water Resources Act and the promulgation of rules that today define and guide water management in Florida. He served as a director and officer of the Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association and was a nationally recognized expert on water law and resources.

Buddy lived out his lifelong love for industrial arts as an expert carpenter, woodworker, plumber, and electrician. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, waterskier, snowskier, and outdoorsman. He was an Eagle Scout and an assistant Scoutmaster of Tampa Boy Scout Troop 4. Buddy was a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Florida Blue Key, Kappa Alpha Order, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the University Club of Tampa, and Tampa Yacht & Country Club.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father, Lester Burns Blain; his mother, Ida Florence Merrin "Tommie" Blain; and his son, David Converse Blain. Buddy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Laura Clarke Converse Blain; his son, Russell Merrin Blain, and partner Jeff H. Otterman; nephews, Louis Shelton, Charles Russell Shelton (Julie), and John Farris Shelton (Vicky); cousins, Mary Trice Knauf Reed (J. Larrie), Charles Brittain Reed (Pamela), Scott Bradshaw Reed (Jessica), and John Trice Reed; and extended family, Peter George Hubbell, Jacolynn Grace Hubbell, Jessica Tripp Hubbell, and Anne Elizabeth Hubbell. A memorial service for Buddy will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 1 pm, by Pastor John D. DeBevoise at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 West San Jose Street. Immediately following the service, a celebratory reception will be held at Tampa Yacht and Country Club, 5320 Interbay Boulevard. Buddy's family gratefully acknowledges the care given by The Estate of Hyde Park and by the neuroscience intensive care and palliative care service units of Tampa General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Buddy's memory to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation or the Tampa Bay History Center. Arrangements handled by Blount & Curry MacDill Chapel.
Published in the Tampa Bay Times from July 28 to July 31, 2016