Ralph Albert Blakelock, 90, passed away on May 17, 2010.
He was born Aug. 23, 1919 in Schenectady, New York and was the son of Ralph M. Blakelock and Loie Cassidy Blakelock and the grandson of the noted American artist, Ralph A. Blakelock.
He grew up in Schenectady and Xenia, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1939 he entered the United States Army Air Corps and became Squadron Commander of 329, 50 Bomb group, 7th Air Corps, serving in the Pacific theater, where he earned 3 distinguished flying crosses and 13 air medals. He was the Squadron Commander of all squadrons and in charge of the flyover over at President Roosevelt’s funeral in Washington D.C. in 1945.
He married the love of his life, Gloria Gruber in 1945 at Bruton Parrish Church in Williamsburg, Va. After the war, he spent the next 35 1/2 years working as an executive for the Frigidaire Division of General Motors.
After retiring he moved to Sanibel Island, later moving to Tampa and finally relocating to Vero Beach in 2003.
He was a lifelong Episcopalian serving on 4 different vestries and attended services at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church.
He was predeceased by his mother, father and sister, Jean Wilson.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria, and his 4 children: Bonnie Freund (Bill) of Fort Mill, S.C.; Ralph Blakelock, Jr., Laurie Blakelock-Rodriguez (Dr. Victor Rodriguez-Viera), and Gloria Nicely (Ben) all of Vero Beach. Grandchildren include Rebecca (Kevin)Chambers of Fort Mill,S.C.; Will Freund (Sachiyo)of Tokyo, Japan; Ben Blakelock of San Antonio, Texas; Katie Klapsa and Christopher Klapsa of Vero Beach; and Parker Nicely of Vero Beach. Great grandchildren include Zachary and Tracy Chambers of Fort Mill, S.C. and Billy Freund of Tokyo, Japan.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on May 22 at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Church, Vero Beach, Fl.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 475 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32968.
A guestbook may be signed at www. strunkfuneralhome.com
