James Marshall Blake Jr.

James (Jimmy, Jim) grew up in East Texas and moved to Dallas, TX at a young age. It was in Dallas where he began his career with Continental Motors and in 1968 he was transferred to Chicago, IL and in 1976 to Mobile, AL. During this time, the company changed to Teledyne. After 43 years he retired in Mobile, but needing something more to do, he went to work for Sears on a part-time basis. In his later years, he spent as much time as his health would allow playing the game he loved, golf, and participating in activities at the Senior Center.

James was preceded in death by his brothers, James Earl Blake (Dallas, TX), Ralph William Blake (Houston, TX), Robert Lee Blake (Houston, TX), Eddie Joe Blake (Whitesboro, TX); and his sisters, Etta Frances (Blake) Baker (Diobol, TX) and Sandra Kay Snyder.

James is survived by his wife, Deanna; son, David Clark Blake (Marie) of Huntsville, NC; daughter, Cheryl Deese (Ben) of Heartland, TX; grandchildren, Courtney Blake, Ella Blake, Zachary Patterson, Stephanie Anderson (Steven), Anna Blake, David Clark Blake, II, and Ian Halfpenny; great-grandchildren, Gavin Lasater and Grayson Patterson; and his sister, Glenda Ann Welch of Wills Point, TX.

James was a loving, kind, gentle, fun-loving husband, father, and grandfather. A man with a good sense of humor and always ready with a joke. We were very blessed to have him with us for 77 years. He will be missed and loved always.

Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday, February 22, 2013 from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.