Joseph "Joe" Anthony Blas

It is with a deep, heartfelt sadness that our family announces the death of our husband, dad, papa, uncle, brother, cousin, and friend. Joseph “Joe” Anthony Blas passed away suddenly at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 26th, 2024. He was 76. Joe was an amazing husband and father, and our lives are better because of him. While he would not admit it due to his humble nature, he had a very full, “rich” life, and we invite you to celebrate it with us.

Born on June 10, 1947, in Sinajana, Guam, to Tomasa Iriarte Blas (later Cruz; deceased), he remained in Agana, Guam with his mother, stepfather Enrique “Ricky” Roberto Cruz (deceased) and his brother, Thomas “Tom” Blas, until he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1965. Shortly after high school in 1966, he enlisted in the United States Air Force until his Honorable Discharge in 1970. During his first tour of duty, he was an Aerospace Grounds Equipment Repairman and was temporarily transferred abroad in Thailand while stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where he met his soon-to-be, beautiful wife, Belma Garcia (Blas) at a 1968 New Year’s Eve Party at her home in Las Vegas. Belma fell in love with his shiny, white, perfect teeth; the fact that he could read (he had a newspaper with him); and most importantly, the fact that he could cook (because she couldn’t).

On September 27,1969 they were married, and Joe permanently moved to Las Vegas. In 1970, they had their first child, Veronica “Roni” Blas (Dahir). Later that same year, Joe re-enlisted in the Air Force. In 1971, they had their second child, Anthony Garcia Blas who was unfortunately ill at birth and had to have open heart surgery the following year but did not survive it (deceased March 30,1972). After this terrible life-changing event, Joe decided to leave the military and was again honorably discharged in 1972. In 1975, Joe and Belma had their third child, Edward “Ed” John Blas. Joe loved watching his daughter play softball and his son play baseball, and he coached Edward’s Little League baseball teams for a few years. Watching baseball became his only hobby (although in later years he said his only hobby was food), and even after both of his kids graduated from high school, he and Belma would go watch other kids’ Little League baseball games on the weekends, even though they did not know a single child on either team.

Joe worked for the City of Las Vegas as an electrician for more than 25 years until he retired. During that time, he also enlisted in the United States Navy in 1977 as a reservist until his Honorable Discharge in1983. He served his community and his country well.

Both Roni and Edward married; Roni to George Sam Dahir III, and Edward to Kim Yuro (Blas). Roni and George have two children, Tristan Anthony Dahir and Makena Jade Dahir. Edward and Kim have one child, Osker Gamboa. All three grandchildren loved their “Papa” very much and he, them. He was also very proud of them and was so happy to return to his favorite pastime of watching sports. He loved to travel with Tristan’s travel baseball team and Makena’s travel softball team, and he was so excited to be there to cheer Osker on as he swam at the Transplant Games in San Diego.

In addition to watching baseball and softball, Joe loved to bowl in his early days, and up until these past few months, he still enjoyed bowling with his family, enjoyed playing (tried to play) Pickleball at Danny’s 60th birthday party, and was going to the casinos to place a bet on college football or basketball. He also loved to camp, crab, and fish, and one night, while he and Belma were camping at Harris State Beach in Brookings, Oregon, they decided to tour a home for sale and bought a second vacation home near the beach the next day. This became the “beach house” for the next 20 years that they very much enjoyed in their retirement.

We will never forget his handsome smile, his passion for baseball and playing pinochle, his love for the Everly Brothers and Karaoke, and more importantly, his unforgettable ribs made with Welch’s grape jelly as well as his Filipino fried rice and lumpia (even though he was Guamanian/Chamorro).

As for his legacy, he is preceded in death by his mother, Tomasa “Tan Bacha Alejo” Iriarte Blas Cruz, his sister, Victoria Blas Limtiaco, his stepfather, Enrique “Ricky” Roberto Cruz, and his son, Anthony Garcia Blas. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Belma, his children Roni (George) and Edward (Kim), his grandchildren (Tristan, Makena, Osker), his brother Tom (Marianne Evangelista Blas, deceased) and their children Marissa (Alan Chan) and Thomas “Joel”, and grandchildren (Aly, Leela, Eva, Laila, Lucas), his brother-in-law Danilo “Danny” Del Rosario Garcia (Mary Whitfield) and his children (Nicholas Del Rosario Garcia and Marlon Del Rosario Garcia), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We invite you to a Memorial Service, Saturday, March 30th, 2024, from 10 to 11 am at Palm Downtown Mortuary, 1325 N. Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 (702) 464-8300. There will be a reception with appetizers and refreshments immediately following the service from 11 am to 1 pm at the same location.

We invite our family and friends to a Celebration of Life, Saturday, March 30th, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Las Vegas Aviators Stadium, 1650 S. Pavilion Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135, where we will watch the Reno Aces take on the Las Vegas Aviators and eat ballpark hot dogs (and more) on the Party Deck (1st Base Dugout Side). Tickets for entrance into the park/game and dinner reception are included. You will need to pay for parking. We advise guests to arrive by 6:30—baseball game starts at 7:00.

There will be a private funeral/burial service for close family members on Friday, April 5th, at 8:40 am, Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.

A memorial service for Joseph will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Palm Downtown Mortuary, 1325 North Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101.