Community unites in search for missing man

RUSK — A search party was organized on Saturday for James David Blount, who was last seen in Rusk over three weeks ago.

“We’re all hoping that he is still alive,” Nicole Morris, an organizer of the event, said. “But at this point, I think we’re all kind of coming to the conclusion that it’s no longer a search and rescue, and it’s more so a recovery.”

Blount went missing on Dec. 2, and four days later, his vehicle was discovered along Highway 84 near the Neches River. Since then, law enforcement has been working to locate Blount, but their efforts have not yet been successful.

“My heart hurts for the family and that’s why I’m just so adamant about keeping his name alive and keeping his story alive,” Morris said.

Blount’s Description:

57-year-old white man
5 feet, 9 inches tall
200 pounds
Brown hair, blue eyes

Heal Corp search and rescue personnel have been scouring the Neches River near where Blount’s vehicle was found, but as of Dec. 21, they hadn’t uncovered anything.

“We’ve searched from Rocky Point all the way down to this point, and then probably another two miles south of where we’re standing now on the river. So we’ve got some other areas of interest we’re gonna look at but so far, no luck on the river,” Heal Corp president Larry Mymnar said.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced a $25,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to Blount’s location. Anyone with information about Blount’s disappearance is asked to call 911 or Rusk PD at 903-683-2677.