John D. Bloskas, who served retired ministers through his work with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annuity Board, died Sept. 25 in Carrollton. He was 89. Bloskas was born in Waco. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 16. He served in combat near the end of World War II and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He attended Baylor University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and was sports editor of The Lariat student newspaper. He was associate editor of the Mexia Daily News and religion editor of the Houston Chronicle. In 1955, he married Anna Louise Nelson. Three years later, he became supervisor of press relations at the SBC Annuity Board—now known as GuideStone Financial Resources—in Dallas. He later served as vice president and associate director of the endowment board. In 1981, he started the Adopt-an-Annuitant program, now called Mission:Dignity, to help provide assistance to ministers and their spouses who lacked adequate retirement income. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne Bloskas Webb, and son, John Bloskas Jr. He is survived by his wife; a son, Ken Douglas Bloskas of Frisco; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Jimmy Bloskas of Waco; and a sister, Kay McDaniel of Howell. Memorial gifts can be made to Mission:Dignity here or at GuideStone Financial Resources, 2401 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas, TX 75201-1498.
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