Thomas Eddy Blake, Tom, Big T, Spaceman-loving husband and father…
Born on February 26, 1959; the 5th and youngest son of Donald and Suzanne Blake, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020 at home. Tom was preceded in death by both of his parents and brother, James (Joyce). Previously residing in Dyer, IN, Tom has been a resident of Gobles, Michigan since 2009.
Tom grew up in a neighborhood of friends in Paw Paw, Michigan. A 1977 graduate of Paw Paw High School and the Van Buren Tech Center where he learned electronics, and participated in sports including basketball, baseball, and football.
Upon graduation, Tom enrolled in ITT attending the Fort Wayne, IN campus where he achieved an associates degree. Tom described his time in Fort Wayne as “bachelor living” 101. He rented a large Victorian house living with 6 roommates and their trusty dog companions on baked potatoes and popcorn. They held porch gatherings with the neighborhood to listen to the gospel music from the local church. Tom proudly paid his way through ITT by working the clean-up shift at the local Burger King.
The new age of information technology created opportunities for Tom as he accepted a job with Texas Instruments and relocated to Houston, Tx. First as a technician building circuit boards for computers and printers and later as a service technician. He would travel Texas installing and repairing computer products for schools, hospitals, and businesses; including the Houston NASA Space Center control room. Tom loved to travel through the Hill Country, playing his music loudly; singing out loud to his dog, Buzz.
It was upon his return to Michigan in 1986 that he met his wife after a softball game. Different, yet alike, they grew together in love and understanding. They were married on the hottest day of the decade, July 30, 1988. The couple moved to Hegewisch, IL and then to Dyer, IN where they raised their two children. Tom was an active member of the Dyer Presbyterian Church, serving as Deacon. He coached community youth soccer and basketball teams; encouraging every young player to “just have fun.” Tom continued to travel Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, golfing for the most part, while installing and updating computer systems for the Hewlett Packard Company.
Tom was notorious for arriving late. Consistent with “Blake Time”, after being diagnosed with cancer, many told him “you shouldn’t be here”, and yet he lived the life he loved for the next 9 years. Tom is survived by his Wife, Carolyn (Holland) Blake, his daughter, Cathryn, son, Sean, brothers, Steven, Paul (Kathy), and David; mother-in-law, Marie Holland, brother-in-law, Jim (Patty) Holland, and sisters-in-law, Liz (Mike) Jones, and Becky (Dan) Miner; as well as many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
Friends will be received at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave., on Thursday, January 16, 2020, from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
A memorial service will be held at Warner Vineyards, 706 S. Kalamazoo St., on Friday, January 17, 2020, at 11:30 am.
Contributions may be made to the Al-Van Humane Society. To sign the online guest book, go to www.adamspawpaw.com.
Posted On: Monday, January 13, 2020 5:19 PM
