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Blake Smelley Obituary
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302 9th Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
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Recent Obituaries
Durel Kirby
September 1, 2024
Durel Kirby
September 1, 2024
Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
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Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
A couple more photos - 1986 and around 1990
Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
Durel Kirby
August 31, 2024
I met Blake in August 1979, at the start of fifth grade. He walked up to me on the playground and bluntly stated, "I'm Blake Smelley. I'm going to go to the Naval Academy and fly jets." I believed him, turns out for good reason. That boy and I did so many things together - built with legos, rode go-karts, failed our tree test at Eagle Scout Camp, waded our canoe down a ditch of a river, chased girls, dated sisters, fought in bars, and celebrated ceremonies and special occasions. It is impossible to say what he means to me. In the last ten years, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and spending time with another extraordinary young man, his son Nathan. Watching Blake love and mentor his son was really special. I can't really believe Blake is gone - his infectious laugh and his prankster spirit will be sorely missed in this too serious world. I love you, man.
Goon Jensen
August 27, 2024
VAQ-138 World Cruise 2005
Bill Jensen
August 27, 2024
Call sign Chef, Blake was our Maintenance Officer in VAQ-138 - best MO I've worked with in the Prowler Community. He was also my pilot during Operation Iraqi Freedom - we tore up Iraq and had memorable times doing so. So many indelible memories of him. I still have a quote from Chef on my desk "On retirement from carrier aviation there is some solace with watching the sunrise knowing you're probably not going to die today". He survived many helicopter adventures and impossible carrier landings - despite all of these once in a lifetime events he spoke mostly about his son to me and his hopes and dreams for him. Well my brother - you live on in our enduring memories with you, inconceivable sea stories, and the way you made us feel confident in ourselves. Sadly you've flown your last pass here on earth - may you continue with limitless fuel, clear skies, and hot engines in the world beyond. Cheers shipmate,
Skipper and brother Goon.
Jerry Branch
August 23, 2024
I went to school with Blake. Played football with him,graduated so forth and so on. We lost track of one another through the yrs. This saddened me to get this news my heart felt condolences to the family.
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
Rich Davis
August 21, 2024
I was honored to serve with Blake on HSL-44 Detachment Five on USS BRISCOE.
Rich Davis
Lisa Robertson
August 21, 2024
I first met Blake eight years ago, and soon after, we started dating. We quickly became more than just a couple - we became the best of friends. We shared stories about our lives, our upbringings, and our children. There was an unspoken comfort between us, and that connection made even the simplest moments feel special.
Some of my fondest memories with Blake were spent watching old movies together, often staying up late into the night just talking and laughing. He had this way of drawing me in, especially when he´d talk about his childhood, his time in the military, or his upbringing in Louisiana. His stories were rich with detail, and I could listen to him talk for hours about his parents, his relatives, and the unique experiences that shaped his life.
Blake had a love for tradition, and he introduced me to some of his favorites, like the Kentucky Derby and drinking mint juleps. He also had a deep love of music and would put on songs that were new to me, ones I had never heard before but grew to love. We would dance together in the living room, spinning around on the hardwood floors to the rhythm of the music, carefree and happy. Sometimes his friends would join us for gatherings, bringing delicious Louisiana dishes, like crawfish, for me to try. Their Southern accents had a way of pulling me in, just like Blake´s boyish grin, his black button-down shirts, and his signature cowboy boots.
Even though I knew I wasn´t the only one in his life, when I was with him, Blake had this incredible way of making me feel like I was the only one who mattered. It was a kind of magic that only he could create.
We shared mutual friends, and many of our best times were spent with them, gathered around, talking, laughing, and enjoying life together. Blake loved watching shows like Ray Donovan, and his musical taste was eclectic, with a special fondness for Toots and the Maytals. We would sit back, relax, and let the melodies wash over us, feeling completely at ease in each other´s company.
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