Obituaries
Albert J. Blaylock
Apr 30, 2008

Albert J. Blaylock, 89, died April 15.

A structural engineer based in San Diego, he founded the structural engineering firm AJ Blaylock and Associates in 1960, later renamed Blaylock-Willis and Associates. He also founded Blaylock Engineers, a mechanical and electrical engineering firm. In addition to the San Diego headquarters, the firms maintained offices in Honolulu, Guam, Phoenix and Cardiff, Wales (UK) at various times. In 1992, he founded Blaylock Engineering Group, a nationally recognized structural engineering firm where he served as president until his passing.

Ms. Blaylock, an accomplished SCUBA diver until age 80, combined diving with engineering to expand his practice to inspect, design and repair commercial and marine structures worldwide. Many of his structures can be seen in the San Diego area, including the original east and west terminals of San Diego International Airport, structures at UCSD and SDSU and numerous naval installations. He served as a mentor to many practicing structural engineers in Southern California.

In the 1980s, Mr. Blaylock was appointed by California Gov. George Deukmejian to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and later served as its president. Blaylock also served as president of the San Diego chapter and statewide chapter of the Structural Engineers Association of CA (SEAOC). He was a founder and fellow of the SEAOC San Diego section and a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1918, he was the third child to Albert and Mildred Blaylock. His father was an electrical engineer. Upon his father’s death a year later, the family moved to his mother’s childhood home, Binghamton, N.Y., where Al grew-up and attended school. During his early years, he spent much of his time at his grandparents’ nearby farm in Otego, N.Y.

In high school, he was a star wrestler and joined the National Guard. Upon graduation, he worked as a machinist and draftsman for IBM in Endicott, N.Y., and later in New York City. As the U.S. became involved in World War II, Mr. Blaylock enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was quickly identified as a candidate for officer and later trained as a pilot.

While he was stationed in San Diego as a commissioned Navy pilot, he met his future wife, Cleo, at a dance at the US Grant Hotel. In 1948, the couple was married and Mr. Blaylock was dismissed from active duty with the Navy. He continued in the Navy Reserves until 1961, when he retired as a lieutenant.

The couple later adopted two sons, Brandon and Clayton.

Mr. Blaylock enrolled at San Diego State University, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He then earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford University in 1953. Following graduation, he began his long engineering career with some of the most prominent firms in San Diego before founding his own firm.

He is survived by his son Brandon, daughter-in-law Janet, and granddaughters Kelly and Courtney, all of New Canaan.

He was predeceased by his wife, Cleo in 2004, and his other son, Clayton in 1988.

© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers