Blaine Norman Awerkamp was born April 18, 1938, to Edward P. Awerkamp and Esther L. Bingham in Bell, California.

Blaine grew up in Whittier, California, and met Charlene (GeeGee) Edmunds at church activities when they were teenagers. They both attended BYU, where their relationship began. They were married in 1960 and filled the next 59 years with love and laughter. He received a degree in agricultural economics and had hopes of owning and optimizing a large farm. After graduation, a new technology called a computer caught his interest, and he was hooked for life. Blaine and GeeGee raised their family in both California and Utah.

Blaine worked for Hercules and Hughes Aircraft on projects like computer coding for radar systems. He joined IBM, where he worked as a systems engineer and analyst for almost 30 years. He received recognition and many awards for his expertise and accomplishments. He then began his own consulting firm and later worked with DSG where he continued his work with IBM and other clients. Although he was offered prestigious positions in various locations, he and GeeGee rejected offers that would detract from their family goals and values. Blaine chose to make family his highest priority.

After retiring, Blaine and GeeGee served a mission at the Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors’ Center. He enjoyed creating tools to make scheduling and workflow efficient. These spreadsheets and tools spread from Hawaii to other missions in several states in the US. After GeeGee passed away in 2019, Blaine moved to St. George, Utah, and began serving as a missionary at the Family History Center. In all his callings, Blaine used his gifts for optimization and efficiency to build the kingdom of God. He constantly looked for something new to figure out and improve. His data analysis, spreadsheets and reports were relied on by many to make decisions and make their jobs easier. He was often asked to present his data and findings which he enjoyed doing. In addition to serving in bishoprics and high priest group leadership, he used his gifts in many clerk and secretary callings on ward and stake levels. Blaine loved to serve with all his heart.

Blaine’s desire to always do his best in everything he did was reflected in his competitive spirit. He enjoyed basketball and softball with school, church and company teams where he earned nicknames like the Jolly Green Giant. He found a passion for lifting weights in college. He carried this passion through his life and passed it on to several of his posterity. Even at 88 years old, just months before his passing, he gladly accepted challenges from his grandsons at the gym to see who could lift more. He enjoyed having fast cars and was once asked about what he would do with so much power. He said, “It’s just nice to know you have it if you need it.”

Blaine had a way of seeing the big picture in life. He enjoyed being in nature where he immersed himself in the beauty of this earth. He found joy in having his homes situated so they allowed him to look out his window and see distant mountains and beautiful views. This calmed him and brought him peace. He enjoyed planning his next outdoor adventure. His perspective and experiences in life allowed him to help others find their way through the challenges this life brings to us all. He loved to help others and tried to brighten their day.

Blaine loved his family and enjoyed getting together with them often. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved to be with him. He was surrounded by family when he passed away on September 3, 2026 in St. George, Utah, on the anniversary of his father’s passing. He was so touched by those who reached out and came to visit him in those last days. He was cheerful, joking, and speaking words of encouragement until the very end.

Blaine was preceded in death by his wife GeeGee and his brother Dwayne R. Awerkamp. He is survived by his posterity, whom he loved and was so proud of. They include his seven children Blaine A. Awerkamp (Cheryl), E. Scott Awerkamp (Heidi), Robert “Bob” L. Awerkamp (Laurel), Julie K. Awerkamp, Debbie S. Rinquest (Bob), Todd G. Awerkamp (Julie), and Christie L. Weaver (Mark), as well as 37 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren with more on the way.

The funeral will be held on September 12, 2026, at 4845 South Woodhaven Drive (1365 West), Taylorsville, Utah, with a visitation from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM and the funeral at 11:00 AM. Interment to immediately follow at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7825 South 1300 West, West Jordan, UT.

A celebration of life service will be held on September 19, 2026, at McArthur Funeral Home, 160 West 700 South, St. George, Utah, with a chance to share memories and experiences at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements are under the direction of McArthur Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 160 West 700 South, St. George, 435-652-2844. Family and friends are invited to visit www.mcarthurfuneralservices.com to sign Blaine’s online guest book. Both services will be available to view online.