Dr. James “Jim” Blasko, longtime local family physician, passed away Tuesday, June 9, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross. He was 61.
Blasko practiced in Blackshear and served patients in Pierce, Ware, Charlton and surrounding counties for many years. He was most recently employed with McKinney Medical Center in Waycross.
He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida, was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of the American Medical Association and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waycross, where he served in the Knights of Columbus.
In his spare time, he enjoyed guitars and music.
A funeral mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, June 17, from the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waycross.
For a full obituary, please see page 3.

Blasko
Dr. James ‘Jim’ Blasko

Dr. Blasko
Dr. James “Jim” Blasko, 61, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, following an extended illness.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Steven John Blasko and Kathleen Kurz Blasko. He met his wife while they were both serving in the United States Air Force and worked as a surgical assistant. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida and spent many years practicing rural medicine in Pierce, Ware and the surrounding counties. Most recently, he was employed with McKinney Medical Center. He was a member of the American Medical Association and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waycross, where he served in the Knights of Columbus.
In his spare time, he enjoyed guitars and music. He was an avid guitar collector who not only played and composed music in his studio but also built guitars in his woodshop.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Blasko.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Blasko, Blackshear; two sons, Christian David Blasko, Blackshear and Nicholas James Blasko, Augusta; one brother, Daniel Blasko (Anna), Kent, Ohio; a nephew, David Blasko and a niece, Eve Blasko.
Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, June 17, from the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome. com.
Music Funeral Home of
Waycross is in charge of arrangements.