John Edward Blake

DURHAM: John Edward Blake, 69, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at his home. He was born in Durham County to the late James Harold Blake and Kathleen Bennett Blake.
John was born and raised in Durham, graduating from Jordan High School, Class of 1973. He attended East Carolina University where he graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in Community & Health Education, Fitness, and Sports Medicine. John married his high school sweetheart of 46 years, Carolyn Blake. He was a member of Christ Central Church, Durham, NC. Prior to the call to full-time ministry, he was the Athletic Trainer at Southern High School (1980-1991), and then changed positions to the new Riverside High School (1991-1995) where he developed the Sports Medicine program plus trained students to take part as Student Trainers for the different sports teams. His love for health/fitness extended to a lifelong habit of working out as well as helping others succeed in meeting their physical fitness goals. It is hard to sum up all the qualities John possessed, but to name a few he was a great father, husband, grandfather, teacher, minister, friend, visionary, encourager, collaborator, prayer warrior, humorous and filled with laughter much of the time. He will be missed.
John's passion for the people of Durham compelled him to eventually leave a full-time teaching/training position to become the Executive Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Durham where he served the people of Durham for 33 years, teaching and presenting the Gospel of the Lord he loved as well as valuing all people he met.
Mr. Blake is survived by his wife, Carolyn Kilgore Blake; daughter, Rachel Blake Taylor and husband Christopher; sons, Sean Blake and wife Abbey, Travis Blake and wife Ashley; grandchildren, Kyleigh Taylor, Ellianna Taylor, Beau Blake, and Birdie Blake; brother, David Blake and wife Diane; sisters, Ruth Anne Lipscomb, Mary Catherine Hopson and husband Robert, and Elizabeth Blake; nephews, James Hopson, Derek Smith, and Trinity Smith (deceased); niece, Rebekah Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 30th at Christ Central Church, 1004 N. Mangum Street, Durham, NC 27701. Visitation will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, March 28th at Clements Funeral Home in Durham.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Durham: Durham Area Chapter, P.O. Box 1288, Durham, NC 27702, and Duke Hospice: 4321 Medical Park Dr. Suite #101 Durham, NC 27704 https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth?designation=211010031-HS&technique_code=DHMM
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.