Blake Middleton

Blake Middleton, Jr., of Minnetonka, Minnesota and surrounding communities, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 11, 2022. He was a skilled Navy pilot, a Dog Person ("the very best kind of person"), a true gentleman, and dearly loved by family and friends. He was born to Blake Middleton, Sr., and Margaret Lane Goodwyn Middleton in Cleveland, Ohio in 1932. The family had deep roots in Charleston, South Carolina. His father's job in the petroleum industry required relocation to several states around the U.S. when he was young. Blake graduated from New Canaan High School, CT in 1950 and from Williams College in 1954.

Blake's lifelong passion for flying began when he received a commission in the US Navy in 1954. He entered flight training in Pensacola and earned his Navy Wings in Corpus Christi in 1956. He was assigned to Attack Squadron 145 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, flying the Douglas AD-6 Skyraider. After special weapons training and carrier qualifications, he spent 6 months on board the USS Hornet CVA 12 deployed in the Far East. Upon release from active duty, he joined US Naval Air Reserve at NAS Glenview, Illinois. He remained active in the reserves for many years, including two years as CO of a Reserve Squadron. He retired from the Navy as a Captain, after a total of 26 years of service.

He started his family with wife Nancy in 1959 in Milwaukee, where all four of their children - Blake III, Tyler, Gardner, and Lane - were born. Blake worked in sales for IBM Corporation for 12 years during the time when the world of innovative computer technology was born. When IBM asked Blake to relocate to Minnesota in 1969, he settled with his family on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, west of Minneapolis, where they were all joyfully immersed in skiing and competitive sailboat racing for many years. He served as Commodore of the Minnetonka Yacht Club 1976-77. His work at IBM and various other companies over the years in the Minneapolis area was primarily in Sales and Marketing Management. He retired in September 2012 at age 80.

Blake was a humble, grateful recovering alcoholic who attended AA meetings weekly for almost 40 years, dedicated to honoring his decades of sobriety, nurturing his personal development, forging meaningful connections, and serving as a mentor and supporter of others on a similar journey.

He treasured the 13 years (1985-1998) he was actively involved with the Planes of Fame East Air Museum at Flying Cloud Airport. He flew 1,100 passenger rides in the open-cockpit Stearman bi-plane, plus many hours and trips flying three Navy WW II fighters (Corsair, Hellcat, and Bearcat) in airshows all over the Upper Midwest. When Planes of Fame East Museum's aircraft relocated to California in 1998, a new museum, Wings of the North, emerged in its wake. Blake devoted his remaining years as an aviation volunteer at WOTN.

In addition to his great passion for flying, Blake noted in 2014, "As I look back, the things I've loved most in my life are all my family, all my grandchildren, and all of our dogs." It was a beautiful thing to behold - the way his handsome face would light up, grinning from ear to ear, at the sight of any dog, and especially his beloved family dogs.

Blake's family is deeply grateful for the extraordinary support and care provided by the staff of Sunrise of Minnetonka Senior Living Community and Park Nicollet hospice nurses.

Survived by his sister Lane Middleton, former wife Nancy, sons Blake Ill, Tyler (Kim), Gardner (Michelle), daughter Lane, grandchildren Matthew (Caitlin) Middleton, Sydney (Andy) Gerten, Olivia (Alex) Carney, Miranda, Amelia, and Nathaniel Middleton, Sal Malone, great grandchildren Sailor, Brooks, Lane, and Crosby Gerten, and Marlow Middleton, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Blake Middleton, Sr. and Margaret Lane Goodwyn Middleton, nephew Blake Kinsman, and niece Emmeline Kinsman.

A Celebration of Blake's Life with family and friends will occur August 14th, 2022, at Pique Event Center, Excelsior, MN 5:00-7:00 pm. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Blake's memory to Wings of the North, Alzheimer's Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or Second Hands Hounds.