Harold Lee Blake

Harold Lee Blake, Jr. passed away on October 12, 2020. He was born in Herington, Kansas on July 31, 1947 to his parents, Evelyn Ruth (Britton) and Harold Lee Blake. He graduated from Iola High School in 1965. Harold received an Associates in Arts degree from Allen County Community Junior College in 1967 while running collegiate track. He then attended college at Emporia State University; formerly known as Kansas State Teachers College and earned his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration in 1969. He worked 40 hours a week at Sears Roebuck while pursuing this degree. After school, Harold led an adventurous life leading river rapid tours in the Grand Canyon. He loved to share stories from this time in his life. Harold began his professional career working for the FDIC, then worked for Guarantee Bank in Dallas where he oversaw bank collateral. He then worked for Red Bird Bank as the president, worked for USA Roofing, then went back to banking, doing loan reviews. He enjoyed working and ended up at Risk Management Partner, LLC as a credit review specialist. Harold devoted over 40 years to the Banking Industry. He was a man who loved to work and by his example, he showed his family what it takes to have a great work ethic. Harold was an intellect, he would regularly write stories to the editor in regards to happenings around town. He loved to read and was a phenomenal writer. He helped craft stories and edit essays for his children during school and college applications - he took a lot of pride in helping serve them in this way. He was the biggest prankster and jokester who loved harassing telemarkers. He was an avid coin collector, enjoyed antique shopping, and had nostalgia for things from the past when things were more simple. He enjoyed plants and gardening. He even owned his own plant shop early in life. He would start with a stem or piece of a plant from a friend and enjoyed nurturing them and watching them develop over years. Harold lived an extremely exciting life full of many achievements. Growing up he was a boy scout and had a great love for the outdoors. He loved the mountains, specifically the Kiamichi Mountains in Oklahoma. He found a thrill in skydiving and was a member of the Texas Parachute Council and Galveston Sky Divers. He successfully completed dozens of jumps and did synchronized jumps with friends as well as individual jumps. He had a houseboat for many years and enjoyed being on the water. His favorite day in his life was on February 21, 1993 at the Bible Baptist Church in Ennis, Texas where he married the love of his life, Jeanie Lois (Martin) Blake. Harold was a believer in Jesus Christ and was saved. He served Bible Baptist Church in Ennis as a deacon for many years. The family rejoices knowing that he is in God’s presence and that we will reunite again in Heaven. He will be deeply missed, leaving behind memories that his family will forever cherish. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Jeanie Blake; children, Ashley Blake, Sean Blake and wife Jessica, Bethany Vaca and husband David, Shannon McCracken and husband Michael; grandchildren, Landon Bar-Blake, Preston Carwyle, Emory Blake, Elizabeth Vaca and Lois McCracken; brother, Larry Blake; and several nieces and nephews. He is reunited in death by his parents and sister, Penny Kafka, and his beloved dog, Roxie. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Boxer Rescue at https://boxer.rescueme.org/Texas A Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home in Waxahachie.