JAMES ARNO BLAKE

JAMES BLAKE Obituary

James Arno Blake 1925 ~ 2010 Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2010, surrounded by family. Jim was born in Salt Lake City, on November 5, 1925 to Arno and Maxine Blake. The family moved to Salt Lake where Jim would graduate from South High. At age 19, he joined and served in the United States Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division, during World War II, which later would land on the shores of Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his heroic achievement as an Intelligence Scout during the fighting on Iwo Jima. He remained active in the Marine Memorial Club throughout his lifetime. After returning from the service, he married his sweetheart, Norma N. Pexton. Together they raised their four children in Salt Lake City, Portland, Oregon, and the Bay area in California. Norma passed away in April of 1979. In 1990, he retired after 40 years in senior management with the Travelers Insurance Company, earning several awards for his leadership and sales acumen. After retiring, Jim moved to Scottsdale, Arizona with second wife Jean Nehf. Jean and Jim enjoyed many memorable years together. Jean passed away in 1999. He met and courted Arlene Gendron shortly thereafter, and they were married May 1, 2000. They enjoyed their time together in Scottsdale, and summers in Park City. Jim was an avid hunter, veteran angler, bowler, and golfer. He was a fan of all Arizona sports teams. He supported many different charities and associations, including the preservation of nature, wildlife, and responsible sportsmanship. Jim had unfailing optimisim and was an inspiration to many. Dad set such great examples of integrity, courage, wisdom and enormous strength. Dad's life was defined by compassion, honor, generosity, strength, and a strong sense of purpose. The imprint he leaves in our hearts and minds remain with us forever. Jim is survived by loving wife Arlene; son Tracy Randall Blake; daughter Holly Mageras (John); grandchildren, Jennifer Blake Collins (Lonnie), Laura Blake Mardis (Gavin), Jessica A. Knighton, Jaime Blake (Jason Hacker), Cassandra Blake, Steve Christopher Schroeder (Sharyn); great-grandchildren, Blake Knighton and Kathryn Schroeder; brother, Charles Blake, (Mildred); sisters, Janice Hicks (Fred), and Kathy Whiting; and several children, grandchildren, and great-grand children from two extended stepfamilies who were also blessed to count him as one of their own. Preceded in death by wife Norma, daughter Susan, and son, James Jeffrey. A memorial service was held in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 19th. Graveside services for family and friends will be held in May, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, to be announced at a later date.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Feb. 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for JAMES BLAKE

1 Entry

Holly Mageras

February 28, 2010

To my sweet special Dad and my Hero, I want to say Thank you, You showed us how much you love us and cared for us and I'll always remember where I came from and why I am and who I am. Thank you for sheltering us and loving us and always being there for us. I couldn't wait to always share special things with you or events that were going on in my life, no matter how trivial. I have such an appreciation for so many things, nature, plants, trees, flowers, animals, and just the plant in general. You have set such incredible examples for your children. Examples of integrity, courage, wisdom, and we can't forget strength, enormous strength, overcoming adversitites, etc. Your examples for me, inspire me to become all I can be and to be a better person. I am so proud to have had you for my special father. I am so thankful for our precious time together, but I know I will be with you again. I know you believed that things happen for a reason, "Man's life upon this earth is not accidental, there is a purpose behind it." My memories will only grow stronger and more precious. You were so intuitive, I know you knew your time left on this earth was approaching. I am so eternally grateful we were able to have had you here with us for as long as we did. To sweet Arlene, Thank you for loving my dad and taking such good care of him, it touched my heart and my family and we felt so comforted by it. You were truly his "Florence Nightingale." Your strength is never-ending. You brought so much joy, happiness and companionship to his life. His quality of life was so enriched because of you. Together, you were both always thinking of other people, doing such special things for everyone always. I have always admired the way you have both lived your daily lives. To your entire family, I thank you for loving and taking such good care of my father. He was so blessed to have had all of you in his life. I love you all and I am honored to have you in my life.
Thank-you! God Bless!

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