October 22, 1942 – November 1, 2022 (age 80)
Son of Ray Fred Blake Sr. & Clara Cardon Blake.
Obituary Page: https://www.olpinmortuary.com/obituary/Ray-Blake
Ray Fred Blake Jr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, patriarch of our family & friend to all, passed away peacefully, Tuesday morning, November 1st, 2022, at his home in Bountiful, Utah. He was tenderly cared for and surrounded by those he loved.
Ray was born on October 22, 1942 in Solomon, Arizona and surprised us all by living to the age of 80! Ray was the second of five children born to Ray Fred Blake Sr. and Clara Cardon Blake. He was the rock of his siblings; Jeannette, Carroll, Marilyn and Jesse. When Ray was 8, the family moved to Holbrook Arizona, where he lived until he graduated from high school. When Ray was in the 5th grade, he contracted Rheumatic Fever and missed the whole school year, but through his tenacity, he kept up his studies. Ray graduated from Holbrook High School where he was Student Body President, ran track and played football.
He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland from 1962-1964 and was assistant to the President. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1967 in Education. That same year, he married the love of his life, Susan Kay Kocherhans, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Together they raised three children; Stephanie, Scott and Jennifer. Ray began teaching middle school right out of college, and the kids loved him. He was close to becoming a vice principal when he was recruited to work in property management. He received his real estate license and began teaching Shopping Center Management teams at Michigan State University, Arizona State University and Purdue University. He was the director of Asset Management for Collier Heinz and Associates, overseeing properties in Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Montana and Utah. He became a senior partner with CHA until he retired in 2009. He was co-owner of Keva Juice in New Mexico and Utah and partnered with his son Scott, in real estate ventures.
Ray was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Susan served as docents at the Church Museum of History and Art. Ray served in Bishoprics, as a High Priest Group Leader, on the High Council, as a Scout Master, a Seminary teacher, and most recently as an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Utah Temple. However, the most fun he had was serving the little children with Susan in the nursery.
Ray loved to snow ski and took his children most Saturdays. Their favorite part was taking off their boots, warming their feet by the fire and getting hot chocolate in the lodge. Ray competed in numerous marathons and 10K races. Though he never reached his goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon, he had a lot of fun trying. Ray loved the outdoors and beautifying his impeccable yard. Ray’s greatest joy came in spending time with his family. He made each grandchild feel special and they all adored him. Most Friday nights, two or three grandkids would call him up and ask to come over for a sleepover where they would play games, eat popcorn and watch movies. In the morning, Ray would take them all to breakfast. Ray’s favorite activities were spent with his family at Disneyland, the beach, BYU football games, Jazz games, traveling to Europe, Mexico, South America, Canada, the Middle East and throughout the US. Summer vacations included a trip to Lake Powell, soaking up the sun and playing cards on the top deck of the houseboat. Ray loved an ice-cold Coke, a bowl of green chile verde and chips and salsa from his favorite Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda. Ray always made holiday family programs a special time to get together and reflect on the Savior. Ray’s love for teaching and helping others brought him great joy in his life and earned him the respect of all who came in contact with him. Ray’s positive nature elicited his famous response to most situations, “Life is Good!”. Ray had a tender heart and helped numerous people not only financially but lifted their spirits and made them feel valued and loved by our Heavenly Father through his actions. He did not like negative talk about others and quickly, yet kindly, silenced any criticism. His unwavering faith and his deep love for his Savior, permeated all aspects of his life. His legacy of hard work, generosity, patience, integrity, long suffering, meekness, service and Christlike love, will live on with those whose lives he has touched.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray Fred Blake Sr. & Clara Cardon Blake, his siblings; Jeannett Hubbard (Dale-living), Marilyn Blake and Jesse Blake. He is survived by his wife, Susan Kay Kocherhans Blake, his children; Stephanie Blake Getter (Bruce), Scott (Robyn) Blake, Jennifer Blake Carroll (Brent), grandchildren; Dallon Getter, Colton Getter, Makena Getter Aragon (Joshua), Cardon Getter, Jace Carroll, Bryan Carroll, Miranda Carroll, Adam Carroll, Ashton Blake, Savannah Blake, Aubrie Blake, his sister Carroll Brockman and many nieces and nephews. The Blake family would like to thank Dr. Joshua Oaks, Dr. Brent Muehlstein, Dr. Belisario Arango, and Ray’s kind nighttime nurse, Mallika Veetut, who tenderly took care of their beloved husband and father! Ray requested that In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Self Reliance program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
An evening viewing will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the North Canyon Fourth Ward, 965 E Oakwood Drive, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am, also in the North Canyon Fourth Ward, where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30 -10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com. Funeral services under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove, Utah.
“Susan, I’ll watch over you and will be waiting to hold you once again in my arms. We’ll have such a tender reunion………Ray".
