(April 20, 1924 – March 1, 2015)
Joseph Truman Blake, age 90, passed away peacefully in his home early Sunday, March 1, 2015. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924, in St. George, Utah, to Joseph Edward and Harriet Louisa Wade Blake. He married De Loris Cox on August 31, 1948, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
Truman spent his summer boyhood years at the family ranch in Diamond Valley, Utah. There he learned to ranch, tending cattle.
At age 19, Truman was drafted during World War Two. He served in the Army infantry in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines and was severely wounded in action. As a result, he was hospitalized for 9 months.
After his service in the war, Truman attended school in St. George, Utah, where he graduated from Dixie College. Later, he went on to graduate from Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah.
Throughout his life, Truman had opportunities to work in many different capacities. He worked as an electrician at the Columbia Iron Mines in Cedar City for 16 years until they closed operation there. He was also a builder. He built four homes for his family-one in St. George, two in Cedar City and one in Santa Clara. He was also a master electrician and ran his own electrical company and manufactured and installed cellulose insulation.
Truman was an active member of the LDS Church where he served in many various callings; as counselor in several bishoprics, high councilman, home teacher, class teacher, and two church service missions. He served as bishop in Santa Clara and loved the people of the Santa Clara 2nd Ward.
He loved and was supportive of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family has fond memories of the time they spent with him.
He loved people. He always took time for visits with friends and family members. He always expressed genuine interest in what his friends and family members were doing in their lives and always showered them in compliments and encouragements.
Truman is survived by his wife De Loris Blake, his 10 children: Danielle (Dale) Hatch, Debra (Paul) Thomas, Malynne Clayburn, Christopher (Gina), Jeffrey, Nicholas (Debbie), Calista (Shawn) Jennings, Randolyn (Paul) Peine, Francesca (Tyler) Rose, Bronwynn (Ryan) Swigert, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Calista Clayburn; two great-granddaughters: Emma and Ellie Thomas; one son-in-law Alan Clayburn; his parents; and siblings: Melvin (Norma), Verda (Arch) Ruth, Grace (Ray) Matheson, Clara (Willard) Patton, Lenora (Dave) Blake, Eula (Kent) Hanson, and Roberta (Odean) Barnum.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel, 85 South 400 East, St. George, Utah.
- Visitations will be held on Friday, March 6, from 5-7 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah and on Saturday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
- Interment will be held at the St. George Cemetery.
Military Honors provided by the American Legion Lester Keate Post 90 and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Arrangements have been made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Truman’s online guestbook at the Spilsbury Mortuary website.