James Blake

James (Jim) Addison Blake, a trucker at heart, and kindest soul to walk the earth, died June 15, 2021, at his home in Sun City, Arizona, surrounded by his loving wife and devoted daughter. He was 85. Born May 20, 1936 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Anna and Kelly Blake. He went to St. Petersburg High School in Los Angeles. Upon graduation, Jim finished two years of college and then joined the US Army where he served as a Brigade Duty Clerk and won several awards as Marksman for the rifle and sharpshooter for the Carbine. After his service in the US Army, Jim held several jobs, all related to driving in one way or the other. Driving was his passion, but the passion he had for his wife and the Lord always shined through in whatever he was doing. There wasn’t a day that went by that he wouldn’t tell you a thing or two about truck engines or gears, or how much God loved you. Jim’s smile was infectious and loved to make his family laugh, even if it was at his own expense with his made-up words or sayings. He loved his warblatutes. Jim will be greatly missed. Jim was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on June 22, 2021. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Anna Coonradt, Kelly Blake, and his sister Jean Niebla. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Blake, his daughters, Rachael Annalynn, Teddi Aragon and husband John, and his son, Kyle James Blake and wife Christina. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, Chelisie Scalf, Kerstin Ruttig, Cody James, Skie Bostwick, Kaitlin Aragon, Benjamin Aragon, and 5 great-grandchildren, Matthew, Haylee, and Noah Scalf, Stephan and Everly Catania, and Kenneth Jr. and Kimberly Ruttig. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Phoenix Rescue Mission in memory of Jim.