Richard E. Blake, Jr. (Lt. Col. US Army, Ret.)
Funeral services for Richard E. Blake, Jr. will be held Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Baptist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana with Rev. Wayne Whiteside officiating. Mr. Blake passed away at age 88 on Sunday, September 30 after a brief illness.
Mr. Blake, a long-time resident of Shreveport, LA had lived in Farmerville, LA for the past eight years. He was born in Olla, Louisiana and after graduating from high school there he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1943. Assigned to the 547th Night Fighter Squadron as a P-61 "Black Widow" Crew Chief, Blake participated in the Western Pacific Air Offensive in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon campaigns. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star.
Maintaining his commitment to serving his country after WWII, Blake received a commission in the U.S. Army reserves where he became a pilot and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his decades of service, he amassed over 20, 000 hours of flying time in both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft and was designated as a Master Army Aviator. He was also designated an Army flight instructor and an instrument pilot examiner. In addition to his military aviation experience, Blake owned and operated a flight school and aircraft dealership. His FAA ratings include Airline Transport, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor-Airplane, Instrument and Helicopter, and an Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance rating. He was also an FAA designated pilot examiner.
Far greater commitments held by Mr. Blake were to his God and his family. He was a long-time Baptist deacon and devoted servant of God in his church and community. He was a faithful husband to Marie who preceded him in death and was a loving father to his four sons who remain to carry on his legacy. The sons are Richard L. (Cleburne, TX), James R. (Marion, LA), Jerry W. (Graham, TX), and Bobby J. (Eugene, OR). Also remaining is a brother, Joe B. Blake, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Following the memorial service a military honors interment will take place at the Crestview cemetery.
Funeral services for Richard E. Blake, Jr. will be held Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Baptist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana with Rev. Wayne Whiteside officiating. Mr. Blake passed away at age 88 on Sunday, September 30 after a brief illness.
Mr. Blake, a long-time resident of Shreveport, LA had lived in Farmerville, LA for the past eight years. He was born in Olla, Louisiana and after graduating from high school there he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1943. Assigned to the 547th Night Fighter Squadron as a P-61 "Black Widow" Crew Chief, Blake participated in the Western Pacific Air Offensive in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon campaigns. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star.
Maintaining his commitment to serving his country after WWII, Blake received a commission in the U.S. Army reserves where he became a pilot and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his decades of service, he amassed over 20, 000 hours of flying time in both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft and was designated as a Master Army Aviator. He was also designated an Army flight instructor and an instrument pilot examiner. In addition to his military aviation experience, Blake owned and operated a flight school and aircraft dealership. His FAA ratings include Airline Transport, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor-Airplane, Instrument and Helicopter, and an Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance rating. He was also an FAA designated pilot examiner.
Far greater commitments held by Mr. Blake were to his God and his family. He was a long-time Baptist deacon and devoted servant of God in his church and community. He was a faithful husband to Marie who preceded him in death and was a loving father to his four sons who remain to carry on his legacy. The sons are Richard L. (Cleburne, TX), James R. (Marion, LA), Jerry W. (Graham, TX), and Bobby J. (Eugene, OR). Also remaining is a brother, Joe B. Blake, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Following the memorial service a military honors interment will take place at the Crestview cemetery.
Richard E. Blake, Jr. (Lt. Col. US Army, Ret.)
Funeral services for Richard E. Blake, Jr. will be held Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Baptist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana with Rev. Wayne Whiteside officiating. Mr. Blake passed away at age 88 on Sunday, September 30 after a brief illness.
Mr. Blake, a long-time resident of Shreveport, LA had lived in Farmerville, LA for the past eight years. He was born in Olla, Louisiana and after graduating from high school there he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1943. Assigned to the 547th Night Fighter Squadron as a P-61 "Black Widow" Crew Chief, Blake participated in the Western Pacific Air Offensive in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon campaigns. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star.
Maintaining his commitment to serving his country after WWII, Blake received a commission in the U.S. Army reserves where he became a pilot and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his decades of service, he amassed over 20, 000 hours of flying time in both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft and was designated as a Master Army Aviator. He was also designated an Army flight instructor and an instrument pilot examiner. In addition to his military aviation experience, Blake owned and operated a flight school and aircraft dealership. His FAA ratings include Airline Transport, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor-Airplane, Instrument and Helicopter, and an Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance rating. He was also an FAA designated pilot examiner.
Far greater commitments held by Mr. Blake were to his God and his family. He was a long-time Baptist deacon and devoted servant of God in his church and community. He was a faithful husband to Marie who preceded him in death and was a loving father to his four sons who remain to carry on his legacy. The sons are Richard L. (Cleburne, TX), James R. (Marion, LA), Jerry W. (Graham, TX), and Bobby J. (Eugene, OR). Also remaining is a brother, Joe B. Blake, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Following the memorial service a military honors interment will take place at the Crestview cemetery.
Funeral services for Richard E. Blake, Jr. will be held Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Baptist Church in Farmerville, Louisiana with Rev. Wayne Whiteside officiating. Mr. Blake passed away at age 88 on Sunday, September 30 after a brief illness.
Mr. Blake, a long-time resident of Shreveport, LA had lived in Farmerville, LA for the past eight years. He was born in Olla, Louisiana and after graduating from high school there he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1943. Assigned to the 547th Night Fighter Squadron as a P-61 "Black Widow" Crew Chief, Blake participated in the Western Pacific Air Offensive in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon campaigns. His decorations and citations include the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star.
Maintaining his commitment to serving his country after WWII, Blake received a commission in the U.S. Army reserves where he became a pilot and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his decades of service, he amassed over 20, 000 hours of flying time in both fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft and was designated as a Master Army Aviator. He was also designated an Army flight instructor and an instrument pilot examiner. In addition to his military aviation experience, Blake owned and operated a flight school and aircraft dealership. His FAA ratings include Airline Transport, Multi-Engine, Flight Instructor-Airplane, Instrument and Helicopter, and an Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance rating. He was also an FAA designated pilot examiner.
Far greater commitments held by Mr. Blake were to his God and his family. He was a long-time Baptist deacon and devoted servant of God in his church and community. He was a faithful husband to Marie who preceded him in death and was a loving father to his four sons who remain to carry on his legacy. The sons are Richard L. (Cleburne, TX), James R. (Marion, LA), Jerry W. (Graham, TX), and Bobby J. (Eugene, OR). Also remaining is a brother, Joe B. Blake, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Following the memorial service a military honors interment will take place at the Crestview cemetery.
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