Yakima – David Paul Blodgett, Sr. of Wapato, WA born August 13, 1934 in Medicine Valley, a place he always considered home, passed away on December 17, 2016. David, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, served in the Air Force after graduating from White Swan High School as a four-year, four-sport letterman. He attended Perry Trade in Yakima and Los Angeles Trade to become a body and fender man/painter, after which David married the love of his life Jo Jean Fiander. Together, as devout Catholics, they raised seven children, while David completed his schooling at Wenatchee Valley College and Central Washington University. He worked as Ellensburg Community Schools Director and as an adjunct professor at the University. It was at this time that he became a rock hound, collecting an impressive collection of Ellensburg Blue Agates.
David taught auto mechanics and jewelry classes at Selah High School while pursuing his passion of basketball as a coach at Selah. He continued his coaching career at Eisenhower High School and Yakima Valley College, where Elwood Crosier highlighted his skills as a shooting coach. David, a man of many talents, then pursued a career as a locksmith until he began to work for the Yakama Nation in programs that impacted many youth of The Nation. He also worked as the director of the Yakama Nation Culture Center and was especially proud of the exhibits he secured for the Center. His election as a Tribal Councilman is a distinction David regarded with utmost honor since he strived to serve people to the best of his ability. It is impossible to list all that he explored and achieved in his lifetime. Upon his retirement he stayed busy with woodworking projects, silversmithing, hunting/fishing, rock hunting, basketry, natural home remedies, and helping to raise the lights of his life, his grandchildren.
David was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Sophie Blodgett, eleven siblings, son Richard Alan Blodgett, and two grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Jo Jean Blodgett; children Tess (Rory) Flint Knife, Debbie (Dan) Goins, David Blodgett Jr., Joe (Cindi) Blodgett, Shari (Tim) Morehouse, and Karen Blodgett; 21 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and a large extended family with whom he loved to cross paths.
Rosary services will be held at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato on Wednesday, December 21 at 5:00pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima on Thursday, December 22 at 10:00am.
Merritt Funeral Home is handling arrangements. The family would like to extend gratitude to Garden Village for their loving care of David.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dementia Society of America.
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