Obituary for Donald "Don" R. Blake
Donald Roneil Blake was born to Homer and Bertha Blake September 22, 1929, in Watson Oklahoma.
THE EARLY YEARS
Dad enjoyed many adventures growing up including camping fishing, hunting, shooting guns, riding horses and swimming in the strip pits. He loved his parents and he loved life.
At the age of eight, dad killed his first rabbit and took it home to his mama for dinner. Dad loved to hunt! He hunted on the way to school and on the way home. During the day, when he was at school, he would hide his gun in a brush pile in the forest.
One day on the way to school, Dad shot a skunk but the bad news was another skunk sprayed him. Dad got sent home from school that day.
Dad continued hunting squirrels, skunks and coons. Dad and his Dad sold these skins for money.
My dad told me a mule would cost you $40 but you could buy a cow for $5.
At the age of 15, dad‘s family moved to California. It was not long before he began working in the stockyards in Stockton California. Dad loved life in California. He often talked about adventures in Brawley and Modesto, California.
AFTER THE WAR
After the war, the family moved back to Oklahoma. My dad helped his dad run grocery stores/gas stations in Smithville, Arkansas and Coaldale, Oklahoma.
During dad‘s late teenage years, he had many jobs including harvesting wheat in Texas, picking apricots in Texas, working on the pipelines in Illinois, and the white pine mill in Oregon. Dad’s favorite job was working in the Red Wood Forest in California. Dad loved working with the dynamite and was good at getting the massive logs out. Dad would have stayed, but his brother Frank was killed unexpectedly and Dad went home for the funeral.
In 1948, dad made his way to Washington where he picked apples. He also worked in a vinegar factory where he washed out the big tubs used to make apple juice. Dad returned home after the apple harvest.
Dad married mom in 1950 and my sister Belinda was born. My dad, mom and sister came to Wichita where my Dad found work at Boeing…..
THE FAMILY YEARS FROM BELINDA
My first memory of Dad, I must have been 4, was in the house in Plainview. We had not been there long as there was almost no furniture. Mom and Dad bought me some adjustable roller skates that fit on your shoes. Dad decided to teach me how to skate. He came roaring out of their bedroom, toilet paper flying from his nose, crouched low, arms moving in tandem with his legs. Quite a sight, Mom and I were laughing, Dad was racing around, using one foot in front of the other to turn corners, he clearly had done this without the nose streamers before. It was a wonderful day.
Dad loved speed, we were once driving from Grandpa Binns country store to my Grandpa Blake’s store. First we refreshed, ice cold bottles of coke stuffed with peanuts and off we went.
Linda, Dad Said, this car needs blowing out so hold on. Did not know much then but that car shot forward pushing me back in my seat. Lucky I had a firm grip on my coke and boy did we go. Country music blaring and tearing up the highway, felt weightless, Happy and loving it.
I remember watching all the Blake’s load up for their annual hunting trip. Grandpa Blake had some sort of giant station wagon, as I recall, and he had old army boxes for food, drink, everything packed and loaded the same way every time. The precision astonished me as a little girl. A special place for everything. Tents, guns, food for a week, lanterns and fuel. Everyone loved and looked forward to the experience, the adventure and the competition. You could feel the excitement in the crisp, cold air of autumn.
How those men loved one another.
The day we got our first TV was an exciting day. I Remember the rabbit ears and the mystery of getting them to work and then the harder part of keeping them working. Dad was excited, got the thing working and found a station and we watched a movie about dinosaurs taking over the world. It was amazing, we all loved it.
Time went on, Barbara was born, mom started traveling with Aunt Eunice, Barb and Leo. Dad and I stayed home and had some fun. He cooked and I cleaned up. Don’t remember much about what we ate but it was nice to see Dad in the kitchen doing things out of the ordinary, he seemed right at home. In the evening he told me stories, he always had stories and all his girls loved them.
As I got older I appreciated how hard Dad worked, how much he loved his job and how the people he worked with admired him. We watched the 6:00 news every evening and we would comment on whatever happened during the day, talk about current events and argue, the man loved a debate. His view of the world was wonderful, he believed the best of people, be friendly and kind, help if you can, lend a hand. Just a very kind man, a practical guy.
My girl friends loved Dad. He was the one who always drove us to movies, dances, concerts. He stayed through out the event with his paper and the radio. I ask him why he didn’t go home and pick us up later. He said, I want to be close if you need me. I knew at the time what an amazing gift he was giving me,
His time, his love and his concern. I was so very thankful he was my Dad.
One more to finish although there are so many to save for another day. You came along. Mom and Dad were very happy when Barbara arrived but they were ecstatic when you came. Probably the perfect age. When they broke the news to me I said, I cannot believe this, everyone will know what you and Daddy have been doing! Outrage and tears, drama, did not bother them at all. They were so happy. The night you came, MOM standing in the doorway, clearly having labor pains but very calm. Dad was in the bathroom, middle of the night I think, Mom’s pain was building. I scream at Dad get out of the bathroom now or Mom is having this baby in the door. He came running out, grabbed her case and off they went, calm as you please and I was a wreck…..
THE FAMILY YEARS BY DAWN
By the time I was born, Dad was a Supervisor. He completed many jobs for Boeing and was highly respected for his work and creativity.
During one of his layoffs, Dad drove a truck. Dad discovered his love of running between buildings and thought it was fun. Dad enjoyed trucking but was, again, called back to work at Boeing.
When I was a little girl, I went hunting with my dad on our beautiful mountain in Oklahoma. Wherever my dad was I was right with him.
Our family went to Church every Sunday and then we went out to eat. Dad worked hard and this time was special.
Dad provided violin and piano lessons for me. Dad paid for public and private education. Dad bought my first car and help me take care of it. Dad provided my college education. There is nothing that Dad would not do for his girls.
Dad retired an Engineer after completing 45 years at Boeing.
It was unheard of for someone to be an Engineer without a College degree.but Dad was a hard worker, never missing work, and often working overtime. Dad was a legend!
THE FINAL YEARS
My mom passed in 2016 and my dad lived independently, taking care of his home and keeping things just the way mom wanted them. I was always amazed with Dad’s talent and strength and the beautiful home my parents made together. Covid tried to take my precious father in 2022 but after several days in the hospital and rehab, dad said he thought he’d go to an old folks home in Derby. I said Dad we’re going home. I was blessed with 11 months of the best stories anyone could hear, the political views of a man who had seen everything since the great depression, someone who not only loved me but, also, the simple enjoyment of life. I rest easy, knowing that he is once again with his family. I love you Dad, thank you for giving me the gift of you. I will treasure our time together all the days of my life.
Dad is Survived by
1 brother
2 daughters
6 grandchildren
13 great grandchildren
3 great - great grandchildren
THE EARLY YEARS
Dad enjoyed many adventures growing up including camping fishing, hunting, shooting guns, riding horses and swimming in the strip pits. He loved his parents and he loved life.
At the age of eight, dad killed his first rabbit and took it home to his mama for dinner. Dad loved to hunt! He hunted on the way to school and on the way home. During the day, when he was at school, he would hide his gun in a brush pile in the forest.
One day on the way to school, Dad shot a skunk but the bad news was another skunk sprayed him. Dad got sent home from school that day.
Dad continued hunting squirrels, skunks and coons. Dad and his Dad sold these skins for money.
My dad told me a mule would cost you $40 but you could buy a cow for $5.
At the age of 15, dad‘s family moved to California. It was not long before he began working in the stockyards in Stockton California. Dad loved life in California. He often talked about adventures in Brawley and Modesto, California.
AFTER THE WAR
After the war, the family moved back to Oklahoma. My dad helped his dad run grocery stores/gas stations in Smithville, Arkansas and Coaldale, Oklahoma.
During dad‘s late teenage years, he had many jobs including harvesting wheat in Texas, picking apricots in Texas, working on the pipelines in Illinois, and the white pine mill in Oregon. Dad’s favorite job was working in the Red Wood Forest in California. Dad loved working with the dynamite and was good at getting the massive logs out. Dad would have stayed, but his brother Frank was killed unexpectedly and Dad went home for the funeral.
In 1948, dad made his way to Washington where he picked apples. He also worked in a vinegar factory where he washed out the big tubs used to make apple juice. Dad returned home after the apple harvest.
Dad married mom in 1950 and my sister Belinda was born. My dad, mom and sister came to Wichita where my Dad found work at Boeing…..
THE FAMILY YEARS FROM BELINDA
My first memory of Dad, I must have been 4, was in the house in Plainview. We had not been there long as there was almost no furniture. Mom and Dad bought me some adjustable roller skates that fit on your shoes. Dad decided to teach me how to skate. He came roaring out of their bedroom, toilet paper flying from his nose, crouched low, arms moving in tandem with his legs. Quite a sight, Mom and I were laughing, Dad was racing around, using one foot in front of the other to turn corners, he clearly had done this without the nose streamers before. It was a wonderful day.
Dad loved speed, we were once driving from Grandpa Binns country store to my Grandpa Blake’s store. First we refreshed, ice cold bottles of coke stuffed with peanuts and off we went.
Linda, Dad Said, this car needs blowing out so hold on. Did not know much then but that car shot forward pushing me back in my seat. Lucky I had a firm grip on my coke and boy did we go. Country music blaring and tearing up the highway, felt weightless, Happy and loving it.
I remember watching all the Blake’s load up for their annual hunting trip. Grandpa Blake had some sort of giant station wagon, as I recall, and he had old army boxes for food, drink, everything packed and loaded the same way every time. The precision astonished me as a little girl. A special place for everything. Tents, guns, food for a week, lanterns and fuel. Everyone loved and looked forward to the experience, the adventure and the competition. You could feel the excitement in the crisp, cold air of autumn.
How those men loved one another.
The day we got our first TV was an exciting day. I Remember the rabbit ears and the mystery of getting them to work and then the harder part of keeping them working. Dad was excited, got the thing working and found a station and we watched a movie about dinosaurs taking over the world. It was amazing, we all loved it.
Time went on, Barbara was born, mom started traveling with Aunt Eunice, Barb and Leo. Dad and I stayed home and had some fun. He cooked and I cleaned up. Don’t remember much about what we ate but it was nice to see Dad in the kitchen doing things out of the ordinary, he seemed right at home. In the evening he told me stories, he always had stories and all his girls loved them.
As I got older I appreciated how hard Dad worked, how much he loved his job and how the people he worked with admired him. We watched the 6:00 news every evening and we would comment on whatever happened during the day, talk about current events and argue, the man loved a debate. His view of the world was wonderful, he believed the best of people, be friendly and kind, help if you can, lend a hand. Just a very kind man, a practical guy.
My girl friends loved Dad. He was the one who always drove us to movies, dances, concerts. He stayed through out the event with his paper and the radio. I ask him why he didn’t go home and pick us up later. He said, I want to be close if you need me. I knew at the time what an amazing gift he was giving me,
His time, his love and his concern. I was so very thankful he was my Dad.
One more to finish although there are so many to save for another day. You came along. Mom and Dad were very happy when Barbara arrived but they were ecstatic when you came. Probably the perfect age. When they broke the news to me I said, I cannot believe this, everyone will know what you and Daddy have been doing! Outrage and tears, drama, did not bother them at all. They were so happy. The night you came, MOM standing in the doorway, clearly having labor pains but very calm. Dad was in the bathroom, middle of the night I think, Mom’s pain was building. I scream at Dad get out of the bathroom now or Mom is having this baby in the door. He came running out, grabbed her case and off they went, calm as you please and I was a wreck…..
THE FAMILY YEARS BY DAWN
By the time I was born, Dad was a Supervisor. He completed many jobs for Boeing and was highly respected for his work and creativity.
During one of his layoffs, Dad drove a truck. Dad discovered his love of running between buildings and thought it was fun. Dad enjoyed trucking but was, again, called back to work at Boeing.
When I was a little girl, I went hunting with my dad on our beautiful mountain in Oklahoma. Wherever my dad was I was right with him.
Our family went to Church every Sunday and then we went out to eat. Dad worked hard and this time was special.
Dad provided violin and piano lessons for me. Dad paid for public and private education. Dad bought my first car and help me take care of it. Dad provided my college education. There is nothing that Dad would not do for his girls.
Dad retired an Engineer after completing 45 years at Boeing.
It was unheard of for someone to be an Engineer without a College degree.but Dad was a hard worker, never missing work, and often working overtime. Dad was a legend!
THE FINAL YEARS
My mom passed in 2016 and my dad lived independently, taking care of his home and keeping things just the way mom wanted them. I was always amazed with Dad’s talent and strength and the beautiful home my parents made together. Covid tried to take my precious father in 2022 but after several days in the hospital and rehab, dad said he thought he’d go to an old folks home in Derby. I said Dad we’re going home. I was blessed with 11 months of the best stories anyone could hear, the political views of a man who had seen everything since the great depression, someone who not only loved me but, also, the simple enjoyment of life. I rest easy, knowing that he is once again with his family. I love you Dad, thank you for giving me the gift of you. I will treasure our time together all the days of my life.
Dad is Survived by
1 brother
2 daughters
6 grandchildren
13 great grandchildren
3 great - great grandchildren