Thomas D. Blake

Nov 30, 1944 -

Feb 20, 2024

Thomas Dillon Blake was born on Nov. 30, 1944, in Pensacola, Fla., and died, age 79, on Feb. 20, 2024, in Wasilla, Alaska.

Tom is survived by the love of his life - his wife of 50 years, Maxine; their two daughters, Julie Laskey and Katie Blake; as well as grandsons, Michael LaFountain and Jacob Laskey. Tom was a beloved son of the late Robert and Dolly Blake of Pensacola. Tom had the additional honor of being a brother to Bobby, Drew, David, Mary, Chris and Paul, and uncle to more than 20 nieces and nephews.

Tom sold real estate in both Montana and Alaska for more than 40 years. He was also a pilot in the military – both as an active duty Marine and then later in the Army National Guard. In these two roles he had 33 years of serving not just his country but his local community. His joy in flight, low in the heat soaked roar, and the comradery of his fellow pilots never waivered.

As an active community member, Tom volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, St. Therese's Camp, Mat-Su Food Bank and St. Benedict's Church. Before his knees went wonky he trained for and ran marathons such as the Mayor's Midnight Sun and the Mt. Marathon in Seward. In his study, he kept a framed certificate of not only donating more than 11 gallons of blood to the local Blood Bank of Alaska, but also of the time he held the record for catching some kind of fish - the details and proof now lost within the "Tom's drawer" filing system. He rests assured his Superfish compadres will fish on and that any of his golfing friends forget games where he didn't win, definitely lost money, and to please have a cigar in remembrance.

A funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla, on March 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Benedict's Church in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 11, 2024, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, both Tom and his family would appreciate friends and loved ones to consider a donation to their local food bank or veteran's service or charity.