George Blake Bennett Jr.

Raised in Mobile, Ala., Blake attended University Military School in Mobile and Auburn University. He served proudly in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1965-1971. His career took him to New Orleans, where he met and married his wife of 47 years, then to North Carolina where he finally settled on his beloved farm in Friendship.

A loyal friend, loving husband, and exceptional father, his greatest joy was his two grandchildren, who made his face light up with happiness that couldn't be hidden. Blake had a ready smile, big heart, and an affectionate, easy manner that put anyone in his presence at ease. Outspoken and opinionated as he was, he was never judgmental and treated everyone with respect. His faith was such that he didn't need to talk about it; it was evident in his life and example. He was funny, smart, witty, intelligent, humble, kind, and unselfish, and he showed those traits with dignity until the end.

Blake was successful in finance, sales, as a business owner, and as a real estate broker. While enjoying his work, which he did tirelessly, often 6-7 days of the week, he always made time for his family, friends, and well-deserved vacations.

Blake loved nature from the water to the woods to the mountains and shared his enthusiam for the outdoors with his children. An avid reader, collector, music lover, and history buff, Blake's less-known talents included being an expert marksman, letter writer, boat captain, pumpkin carver, storyteller, cartoon drawer, matchmaker, photographer, tomato grower, tractor driver, breakfast maker, road tripper, and squeezing every penny out of dollar.

Blake is predeceased by his father George Blake Bennett and his mother Ada Morgan Bennett. He is lovingly survived by his wife Linda Pase Bennett, daughter Stacey Bennett Pearce and her husband Bryan, son George Blake Bennett III and his wife Autumne, grandchildren Bennett McIntosh Pearce and Marley Mae Bennett, and a host of special friends and family members.

The family expresses overwhelming appreciation for the staff at the Duke Cancer Center and Transitions Hospice.

Donations in memory of Blake to the Duke Cancer Institute will support the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program and Gastrointestinal Cancers Research Fund. Donations may be made online at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dci. Checks may be written to the Duke Cancer Institute and mailed to Duke Cancer Institute Office of Development, c/o Emily Hamm, 710 W. Main St. Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701.

Visitation will be 6 - 7:30 p.m. with a service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 1 at Apex United Methodist Church in Apex, N.C. A graveside service will be 11:30am Tuesday Sept. 6 at Garden Hills Cemetery in Opelika, Ala.