Balcie John East III

Balcie John East, III (BJ), age 80, of Margaret, AL, passed away on July 13, 2026, at home surrounded by family. BJ was born on May 18 th , 1946, in Birmingham, AL to Balcie John, Jr. and Margaret East. He attended Inglenook Elementary and graduated from Phillips High School in 1965, where he lettered in four sports. One of his favorite stories to tell about his time at Phillips was that he had to join the choir and sing in one single performance to receive his diploma. He sang beautifully and as was promised, graduated Phillips with multiple scholarship offers. He accepted to the University of South Alabama as a member of the USA baseball team. In 1968, he entered the Navy and was discharged as a 3 rd Class Petty Officer Naval Hospital Corpsman to attend college and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. While attending Jeff State, BJ played on the first organized baseball team under coach Don Green, where they went 17-1. He batted over 400 and held the batting average record until the early 2000’s. BJ went on to have a varied work career with his fondest memories being his work as a Hospital Corpsman, an Acoustical Ceiling installer, and the multiple functions he performed for the National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) in both Atlanta and Miami. Over his lifetime, he lived in Birmingham, Mobile, Atlanta, GA, Daphne, AL, Olathe, KS and Margaret, AL. Although the zip code may have changed, BJ’s uncanny ability to collect friends and make them family meant he never seemed to meet a stranger. There was rarely a gathering that wasn’t filled with laughter, tall tales, and “words of wisdom”. To know him was to love him, and he will be missed by so many. BJ was preceded in death by his parents, Balcie John, Jr. and Margaret East; Brothers-in-law Daniel Tvarozna, George Tvarozna and Jim Hooten. He is survived by his wife, Susan Tvarozna East; sons Balcie John East, IV (Emily) and Nic East (Kassandra), daughter Margaret Ann Stanley (Andrew); grandchildren John Balch East, Carleigh East, Rylee East, Fisher Stanley, and Will East; sisters Sandra Moore (Sam) and Linda Hooten; sisters-in-law Darice Tvarozna and Diana Reigart (Barry). The family will receive visitors on Saturday, August 1 st from 11:00 a.m. to noon at ONEeighty Church 2024 Redemption Way, Springville, AL 35146. Memorial service to follow visitation.

Balcie John East III

May 18, 1946 - July 13, 2026