George Francis (Buddy) Blake, Jr.

George Francis (Buddy) Blake, JR was born in Savannah, Georgia September 26, 1936, and passed away on August 7, 2020, in Greeley, CO.   

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sara and George Francis Blake, Sr of Colonels Island, GA sisters, Bette Arnold of Atlanta, GA, and Pat Black of Tyler, TX.  His wife of 65 years, Bobbie Dene Berry Guyett Blake, joined him in heaven on September 9, 2022.  

He is survived by his three children, Janice Paula (Frank) Scales, George Francis Blake III, and Toni Lynn (Doug) Rudnik, seven granddaughters, and 15 great-grandchildren. Also, brother-in-law Russell (Kelly) Guyett, two sisters in law Carol and Judy Guyett, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.     

Buddy’s family moved to Colonels Island in 1946, where he attended Dorchester elementary (3-room schoolhouse) in Midway, Georgia. Buddy attended high school in Hinesville, Georgia, at Bradwell Institute, where he met Bobbie Dene; they were high school sweethearts and married in 1955.   At that time, Buddy joined the USAF and served for over 25 years. His first assignment was in Denver, CO, where their first child Jan was born. He then went to Atlas missile/electronics school in Orlando, FL, for a year, then to Victoria, TX, for four years. George and Toni were born in Victoria. In 1959 he was stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY, for four years and was there during the Cuban missile crisis in the early ’60s. In 1963 the family moved to Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA. In 1968 Buddy had a remote tour to Johnston Island in the Pacific for one year, then reassigned to Vandenberg, AFB.   

Buddy was dedicated to his education and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1969. He was accepted to Officers Training School, which he completed with honors in August 1969, as Commander of his class and became a proud commissioned officer. The family then went to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, for four years. In 1973 Buddy had an assignment with NATO in Brunssum, The Netherlands. While there, he completed his studies and received his Masters at a ceremony in Heidelberg, Germany. The family enjoyed their three years in Europe. Buddy’s last active-duty assignment was to Beaumont, TX, in 1976. He served as the Officer Advisor to the Texas Air National Guard Unit in Nederland, TX, until his retirement in 1979.   

He was a mighty man of God and an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. Where ever they lived, Buddy was always involved in church and serving the Lord. He taught at a seminary in Beaumont and received his Doctorate in Theology. He served eight years as Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Arthur, TX. He and Bobbie owned and operated the Geo. Blake Clock Co. for over 30 years. He served as President and Senior Chaplain of the Southeast Texas Veterans Group and felt privileged to officiate Military Honors at numerous veteran funerals. Buddy and Bobbie lived in Beaumont from 1976 until 2011, when they retired to Greeley, CO, to be near Toni and Doug. 

The last ten years of retirement were great. Buddy loved his family very much and especially enjoyed being a Great Grandpa. Serving as Chaplain and teaching part-time at Trinity Lutheran Church School was also a highlight of those years. He believed in anointing people and always carried his anointing oil with him. He was a strong prayer warrior who prayed for and anointed many. He often said, “God is not through with me yet,” and prayed, “God give us eyes to see and ears to hear.” He loved the Lord always and went to meet Him surrounded by his loving family and with a smile on his face. Rest in Peace, my love.                                                                 

Memorial services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Hinesville Cemetery.