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Larry Blaker Obituary
Perry
Larry Grant Blaker was born July 11, 1935 the son of John Grant and Cora Marie (Wessel) Blaker of Sand Springs, Iowa. He graduated from Teacher's College High School in Cedar Falls, IA with the class of 1954. Larry attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA on a football scholarship and returned to Cedar Falls to attend what is now known as UNI, majoring in Physical Education. He later received his Master's and Specialist Degrees in School Administration from Iowa State University.
Larry married Patricia A. Smith of Ames, IA at the Ames Collegiate Methodist Church on December 21, 1958. His first teaching job began at Boone High School where he started their first high school wrestling program. In 1970, they moved to Perry where Larry became the Associate Principal at Perry High School. He later accepted a position as the Principal of Woodward - Granger Schools where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Larry loved officiating wrestling and was voted Iowa High School Wrestling Association "Official of the Year" in 1994. Also, being inducted into the Iowa State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996 was a great honor for him.
Larry loved golf and was a fierce competitor. He spent hours playing at the Perry Golf and Country Club where he served as a board member for many years. He loved to travel, and after retirement he and Pat enjoyed the years they wintered in Destin, FL. He was very active in the Perry community with memberships in the Perry Elks Club, Optimists Club, and Masonic Lodge. He was a ten year board member of the Rowley Masonic Home. A very important daily routine for Larry was meeting with his morning coffee group of friends. Most of all, Larry loved to spend time with his wife of 58 years and his sons and their families.
Survivors include his wife Pat Blaker of Perry, IA; three sons Jim (Cindy) Blaker of Colfax, IA; Joe (Julie) Blaker of Woodward, IA; Tom Blaker of Sunnyville, CA; one sister Bobbette Blaker Fortney of Cedar Falls, IA; seven grandchildren Max (Alex) Blaker, Andrew Farley, Arion (Justin) Tooley, Amanda (Ben) Feathers, Elyse Blaker, Samantha Blaker, Andrew Blaker; four great grandchildren Callie Jo Tooley, Kinsey Tooley, Colt Tooley, Graeme Blaker and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Perry Golf and Country Club. Memorials may be made in Larry's name and can be sent to Murdock Funeral Home, Perry, IA or may be given to a charity of your choice. Larry passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center. Online condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhome.net
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Memories and Condolences
for Larry Blaker
Sponsored by Murdock Funeral Home.
Tim Galligan
May 30, 2017
to Joe and the rest of the Blaker family. Very sorry to hear about your Dad. He was a great man and I know you guys will miss him terribly. Hang in there and remember all the good times.
Our condolences to you all, Tim & Lesley Galligan
Gary Achenbach
May 26, 2017
My sincere sympathy to the Blaker family. Larry was my son, Brent and daughter, Sara's high school principal at Woodward-Granger. He was a fine gentleman, who I had the utmost respect for. I really enjoyed the several casual conversations I had with him over the years. He was a class act.
May 25, 2017
My sincere sympathy to you Pat and to your family. . This 2017 has not been kind to your family. I hope all the wonderful memories that you have will help sustain you at this difficult time. Mary Jo Piech
May 24, 2017
Randy colyn
May 24, 2017
jim and family so sorry for your lose ,its times like these you look back at the good times you had with your family
Ervin Harmon
May 22, 2017
This is a video of Larry Blaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0fDmdCt6yU
Ervin Harmon
May 22, 2017
My best wishes to the family of Larry Blaker. He was a high school classmate of mine and a great friend.
Sandi Lewis Suddaby
May 22, 2017
So long dear friend. A great classmate all those years at campus school, Cedar Falls.
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