ATWOOD -- Joseph Charles "J.C." Youngblood, 83, died Wednesday (March 23, 2005) at Rawlins County Hospital in Atwood.

He was born May 13, 1921, in Atwood to Joe and Nelle Preder Youngblood. He grew up in Atwood and graduated from Atwood Community High School in 1940.

He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1942, serving in the Pacific Theater as an air control tower operator, achieving the rank of technical sergeant. After the war, in 1945, he returned to Atwood where he managed the Ford dealership and farmed.

In 1946 he married Mary Jo Cox at the Methodist Church in Atwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Melba; and a step-sister, Mary Jane Saletta.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo; son, Joe and wife Susie Youngblood; daughter, Jane and husband, Mike Griffith, all of Atwood; a step-brother, Frank and wife, Betty Hutchinson of Chico, Calif.; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Atwood with the Rev. Terry McGuire officiating. A private inurnment will follow.

There will be no visitation. The body has been cremated.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church or the Atwood Second Century Fund.

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of arrangements.