Retired USAF veteran First Sergeant, MSGT. James A. Blake passed away on January 11, 2016, joining his beloved wife of 63 years, Roberta D. Blake, who went to be with Jesus on December 15, 2015. James Albert Blake of Zephyrhills, Florida passed over peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimers. Born James Albert Blake to Clifford R. Blake, Sr. and Tempie Lee Higginbotham of Sayreton, Alabama, he was one of 13 children. Mr. Blake joined the United States Air Force in 1950, and then in 1952, married Roberta Joyce Davies, daughter of Robert Lee Davies and Beulah Lee Davidson of Tampa, Florida. James A. Blake was a veteran of the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War, serving America meritoriously until 1979. He was also stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis and Saudi Arabia, his family moved with him throughout his career to many assignments, from Ramstein, Germany to NORAD at Colorado Springs and the Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska before retiring to the Tampa Bay area. A devoted, loving and attentive father, he is survived by his three children; James Michael Blake, Karen Michele Blake Johnson (Jack) and John Tyson Blake; two granddaughters, Tiffany Gerrity (Matthew) and Becky Adams (Kerry) and two great grandchildren, Natalie and Samuel Adams. All of whom greatly adored and were strongly attached to their loving patriarch and will cherish their memories of him. Mr. Blake was extremely amiable, likeable, humorous and sociable and easily became friends to whomever he met; while at work, playing a round of golf, or with neighbors; he could easily strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. Mr. Blake was an exceptional golfer throughout his life, playing while in the Air Force as well as in the Tampa Industrial Golf League. He also loved gardening with his hibiscus, fruit trees and azaleas. America has lost a devoted son and faithful citizen. Visitation will be at Hodges Family Funeral Home on Hwy. 301 in Dade City on Friday, January 15 at 11:30 am; burial with full military honors at Bushnell National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local veteran's organization. Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Friday, January 15, 2016 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Committal Service

Florida National Cemetery

Friday, January 15, 2016 1:30 PM 6502 SW 102nd Avenue Bushnell, Florida 33513 Directions