Blayne G. Rounds

It is with heavy, but peaceful hearts that we bid farewell to somebody who has been such a source of strength to those around him. Blayne G. Rounds, 56, returned to the loving embrace of his Savior, on Saturday, May 2, 2015, having fought a good fight, having finished his course, and having kept the faith.

Born October 6, 1958 to Roy and Norma Rounds, he learned the value of honest labor and selfless service as he worked alongside his nine siblings on the family farm in Rigby, Idaho. It is through these years that he developed what could only be considered an unprecedented work ethic. He didn’t quit. Ever. He was always so aware of his surroundings and the needs of others, and if he saw something that needed to be done, he would have finished the task before any of us could formulate a plan.This energy and drive, this desire to lift his fellow brethren, is what allowed him to touch the lives of so many. 

The attributes that paralleled his never-slowing work and service are the compassion, mercy and pure Christlike love that he showed to every person he came into contact with. His famous utterance was, “Well, I’d rather err on the side of mercy. How I want The Lord to show me mercy is how I want to show it to others.” No matter the situation, nobody had just three strikes with Blayne. He would forgive and forget, and show forth greater love and compassion. With this charity was an equally founded standard of righteousness. He strived each day to live in a way that would honor the family name he bore, and to please The Lord.

After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Oakland, California, Blayne attended Brigham Young University where he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Cummings Rounds. Blayne and Carolyn were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on May 7, 1982. After moving to Logan, Utah where Blayne graduated from Utah State University, they welcomed their first daughter, Shealene. 

Blayne began the first of many business adventures and moved to Preston, Idaho to work alongside Loyal Hansen at what was Hansen and Rounds Insurance; later to become Rounds and Associates Insurance Services. It was in Preston that Blayne and Carolyn welcomed seven more children to their family: Jessica (MacArthur Jones), Brittany (TJ Adams), Cameron (Danielle Acevedo), Colin (Bryn Haycock), Emily (Cole Baldwin), Curtis and Caleb. 

Blayne’s legacy lives on through his family and the individuals whose lives he touched as he served in the community and through his callings as a Bishop of the Preston Fourth Ward and in the Stake Presidency of the Preston North Stake.  

Blayne is preceded in death by his father, Roy Rounds, and a brother, Arlyn Rounds. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his eight children and their spouses, three grandchildren (Traegan, Eden and Ezra,) his mother, Norma, and eight siblings; Larry Rounds (Karen), of Rigby, ID; Jolene (Ned Hill), of Evanston, WY; Gae (Ron Frandsen), of Brigham City, UT; Sandy (Tom Albaugh), of Idaho Falls, ID; (Gayla Rounds), of Nibley, UT; Rod (Kathie Rounds), of River Heights, UT; Peggy (Doug Hanks), of Saint Anthony, ID; Judy (Kirk Polatis), of Roberts, ID; Norene (Todd Ballard), of Benson, UT; and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Preston North Stake Center, 310 North State Street in Preston. A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the stake center and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. also at the stake center. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com