Herman Morris Blagg, Jr., loving husband, father, and friend, passed away on August 12th, 2023 in Panama City, Florida.

Mr. Blagg was born February 28, 1929 in Selma, Alabama.  He attended Parrish High School in Selma before receiving his degree in Industrial Management in 1951 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API), now known as Auburn University.  He was the consummate Auburn man, and lived a life that reflected the tenets of the Auburn Creed…integrity, hard work, the human touch, and love of country.  While a student at API, Herman served as Head Cheerleader and President of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.  He devoted himself to service of community through the Alpha Phi Omega Society, and served as secretary-treasurer of the Blue Key National Honor Society.  He served on the university's Interfraternity Council, and was named a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Upon graduation from API, Mr. Blagg served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  After his service, he worked in Birmingham, AL where he met Barbara Dickinson.  Herman and Barbara married and eventually returned to Selma in 1957 where they raised their three children and Herman began working with his father in the food brokerage business.  While working with his father, he began building his Blagg Construction Company business, building homes and engineered steel buildings throughout central Alabama.  In addition, Mr. Blagg owned and operated a Century 21 Real Estate office and Dallas Fence and Awning Company.

While building his business, Mr. Blagg continued his public service.  Over the years he served as ScoutMaster for the Boy Scouts, board chairman of the Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center, President of the Selma Homebuilders Association, Vice-President of the Selma Board of Realtors, and advisory board of the Alabama Sheriffs' Boys Ranch.  He earned the Achievement in Management Award in 1981 as Outstanding Century 21 Realty Broker-Owner, as well as numerous production and design awards from Atlantic Building Systems.

Over the years, Mr. Blagg built countless corporate office buildings and beautiful homes in Alabama and Florida.  He had friends at every level of the business world and was loved by his employees.  Because of his love of home building, working with people, and his strong work ethic, he continued building homes until his late 80's.

As well as being a builder of homes, Mr. Blagg was a man who loved God and was a builder of men.  His well-worn Bible bears witness to his love of his Maker and the word of God.  He was a deacon, choir member, senior boys Sunday school class teacher at First Baptist Church of Selma, and later an usher at Woodlawn Methodist Church in Panama City, where he described himself as "a doorman to the House of the Lord".

Mr. Blagg moved to Panama City Beach 30 years ago, and met his wife Jo Ann Williams Walker-Blagg. They moved back to Alabama in 2018 after Hurricane Michael devastated the Gulf Coast, settling in Opelika.

Herman Blagg will forever be remembered as a kind and generous man, willing and eager to serve others.  His optimism, hope, and resilience inspired those around him, and his sense of humor and warm smile lifted our spirits.  He loved life and lived it to the fullest, making the most of his days.  He made our days better, and the world was a better place because of him.

Mr. Blagg is survived by Jo Ann Williams Walker-Blagg and his children: William Lee Blagg of Jacksonville, FL; Beverly Blagg Prince (Doug) of Wetumpka, AL; Steven Connor Blagg (Sandy) of Dacula, GA; Kim Walker Toney (John) of Auburn; Kathryn Ann Walker Gillock (Monty) of Opelika; eight grandchildren; and Barbara Dickinson Blagg of Dothan, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make contributions to one of the following charities: Woodlawn United Methodist Church of Panama City Beach, FL; 1st United Methodist Church of Opelika, AL; The Angelman Syndrome Foundation www.angelman.org; or The Dusty Trails Horse Rescue https://dustytrailshorserescue.org/index.php/donate-today/

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 15th at 11 a.m. in the Woodlawn Methodist Church, 219 N. Alf Coleman Road, Panama City Beach, FL.  The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.

A graveside service will be held at the New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, AL at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 16th.  Address: 110 West Dallas Avenue, Selma, AL.