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John D. Blodger 1933-2025 Human Resources Executive, U.S. Army
T he Alexandria-Fairfax (VA) Alumni mourns the passing of John Dawson Blodger (Alpha Beta 1953), who entered the Chapter Invisible on January 24, 2025. Brother Blodger, an only child, was born in Paris, TN on November 1, 1933, to John Blodger and Sunshine Virginia Dawson Blodger. He attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors from Cass Technical High School, where he excelled in academics, especially in the sciences and mathematics. After high school, he continued his education, working his way through school on the GI Bill attend- ing Wayne State University majoring in chemistry. Brother Blodger worked while in school at Detroit Receiving Hospital in the morgue and carried the mail as a letter carrier. He would later work at BASF Wyandotte Chemical Com- pany becoming their first African American chemist. During his time there, he was the lead chemist
“... BLODGER HAD SUCCESS IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITH SEVERAL DIRECTOR POSITIONS AND WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF THE 300,000-MEMBER SOCIETY OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. ”
He was also steadfast in his devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With an unwavering support he was a faithful member of Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church, where he frequently sung in Sunday services. Brother John D. Blodger was preceded in death by his parents; wife Arteria (Terri) E. Blodger; his beloved daughter Kelley Virginia Blodger; and son- in-law Frank Spooner. He is survived by daughter Lisa Carole Blake (John), son John Kevin Blodger (Monica), and stepdaughter Carol Holland (Anthony); his grandchildren George, Kimberly, Karen Blake, and Katherine Blake-Rybalov (Misha); John Benjamin and Zoe Blodger; Nyla (Bill) Addis, Arienne Holland, Felicia (Johnnie) Murwar, Yolanda Roberts, Crystal Stricklen; and a host of great grandchil- dren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. ♦
responsible for obtaining a patent for a polymer that helped wool from shrink- ing. He was promoted to human resources and the company paid for him to earn a MBA from Wayne State University. Brother Blodger had success in the field of human resources with several director positions and was the first African American President of the 300,000-member Society of Human Resource Management. Before retiring, Blodger worked at the National Geographic
magazine where he was a Vice President. He loved to golf, listen to jazz, and enjoyed the finer things of life. He also loved Kappa Alpha Psi®, where he was a member of the Alexandria-Fairfax (VA) Alumni. He was often heard saying “Kappa Alpha Psi until the day I die” and “70 years in the Bond.” He faith- fully served his fraternity as a past parliamentarian and oversaw their “Annual Soul Food Jazz Brunch” and assisted with their scholar- ship fundraising.
WINTER 2025-2026 ♦ THE JOURNAL 85
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