Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Gregorio Reyes Blas passed away November 25, 2021 in Lakewood, WA at the age of 88. Born January 5, 1933 in Agana, Guam, he was the son of Gregorio Farfan and Rosa Reyes Blas. His parents and his 14 siblings all preceded him in death; his sister Rosalia Blas Iriarte (age 96) passed away a month ago. He enlisted in the US Army at 18 years old and would serve for 24 years. While stationed in Sendai, Japan, he met his beloved wife of 65 years, Eiko Abe.
Throughout the years, they were stationed in Japan, Washington, Germany, California, Missouri, Korea (Eiko and the kids in Japan) and Kansas. He served in Vietnam where he received a Bronze Star, 3 purple hearts and a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). He moved quickly through the ranks of the Infantry Division. He was in the first graduating class of the US Army Sergeants Major Academy (1973) at Fort Bliss, TX. He ended his military career as an ROTC instructor at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. After retiring from the Army, he started a new career at the US Postal Service as a mail carrier who drove but also walked many miles on his route. He never called in sick a single day until his retirement at age 79 and was a member of the One Million Mile Club for 1,000,000 miles of safe driving.
Greg loved to drive and went on too many vacations to count. Trips to California, Florida, Oregon, Colorado, Tennessee, Missouri, Utah, Texas and Hawaii. He and Eiko visited their favorite national parks - Bryce and the Grand Canyon for the last time in September. He spent many years fishing, crabbing and razor clam digging at Ocean Shores while enjoying time at their cabin with the family. He was well known among friends and family for his Guamanian BBQ and chicken kelaguen. Another favorite pastime was walking along the railroad tracks under the Narrows Bridge searching for the elusive octopus with his excellent vision. Greg enjoyed gardening, Christmas lights, all kinds of music and trying a variety of buffets, always giving them a rating from 1-5. His love of running lasted many years with multiple entries at Tacoma Sound to Narrows Race and Lilac Bloomsday Run.
Greg had a wonderful sense of humor, treated everyone with respect and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Eiko and was the loving father of 3 children - Rosalia (Bill) Olson, Maria (Andy) Rash and George (Diane) Blas plus Uncle "Goro" to numerous nephews and nieces. "Gichan" was blessed with 4 grandchildren who were his endless pride and joy - Sarah (Spenser) Vines, Ryan Rash, Jeremy Blas and Cameron Blas. There will be a private family graveside burial with military honors on Friday, December 10, 2021 at New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, WA.
The family wishes to convey tremendous gratitude to the doctors and staff at Franciscan St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, WA. We ask that any gifts be made in memory of Gregorio (Greg) R. Blas through the Franciscan Foundation, St. Clare Hospital General Fund.