Ted Blake

Edward R. “Ted” Blake, Jr. – On the beautiful, Sunday morning of June 1, 2008, the angels of the Lord came to Ted with wings from heaven and flew him Home. After a lengthy hospitalization, Ted was admitted to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home where he was allowed to meet his Creator in peace, comfort and dignity with his family at his side. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 5 at Oak Forrest United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Jacqueline Tookey. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. Ted was born on October 8, 1932 in Wilmington, NC to Ed and Mary Blake. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Eddie Blake who made his home with his family in Wilmington; and grandson, Jon Patten. Ted is survived by the love of his life and wife of over 50 years, Patty Burriss Blake; daughter, Carol Patten (Walt) of Fort Lauderdale, son L.D. Blake (Lynne) of Wynne, Arkansas; and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Blake of Wilmington. His grandchildren include Blake Patten (Denver), Brittany and Lauren Blake (Wynne) and Teddy, Robert and Mary Grace Blake of Wilmington. Ted is also survived by his sister, Margaret Blake Hertz (San Jose, CA) a brother, Robert Blake (Denver); sister-in-law Virginia Price, brothers-in-law, Phillip and Thomas Burriss, all of Wilmington. After serving twenty-one years in the Air Force, including service in Viet Nam, Ted retired from the military and moved his young family to Winston-Salem where he attended Piedmont Aviation Institute and obtained his Airframe and Power Plant Certification. In 1971, he became an A&P instructor for Piedmont Aviation. Ted retired a second time in 1990 from Piedmont Airlines where he had worked as an A&P technician. Ted’s family and friends knew him as a kind, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was dedicated to his family and church family at Oak Forest United Methodist Church through which he and his wife served as volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program in Davidson County. Ted loved being outdoors and for many years had a passion for flying, including aerobatic flying. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed tennis and running and was constantly working with his hands. He built a “working” experimental airplane, many remote controlled airplanes and sailplanes. Ted’s love of airplanes and flying is shared by his son, L.D. Even after his body became ravaged with rheumatoid arthritis, he continued to work with his hands building several wooden row boats and continued enjoying the outdoors by sailing and kayaking. He loved being on and near the water and all the activities associated with sailing and working on his boat. His love of boating was shared with his son, Eddie, and many friends. Ted will be greatly missed and always loved by his family and friends. The family will see friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday at Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel. Donations in Ted’s memory may be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane in Winston-Salem or to the Family Life Center Building Fund of the Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 11461 Old U.S. Highway 52, Winston-Salem. On line condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net.