Lt. Col. Donald Pierce Blake (USA ret.), of Wilmington, died peacefully Dec. 30, 2013, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center. He was 89.
He graduated from New Hanover High School in 1942. The following year, 1943, Mr. Blake was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in combat in Germany during WWII for three years. Shortly after returning to Wilmington, he joined the Army Reserves and enrolled in the Wilmington College Center of the University of North Carolina. He was elected the first student body president for the present day UNCW. He also helped found and was the first president of the Wilmington College Alumni Association.
After graduating from Wilmington College, he was accepted to law school at Wake Forest. Before he could begin law school, the Army called him back to active service for the Korean Conflict and he received a direct commission to First Lieutenant. He continued to serve through the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969 and retired from the Army in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel with 27 years of service.
Upon returning to Wilmington, Mr. Blake started a commercial printing business, Blake Printing and Graphics, and later added Bee Line Copy Center. After his retirement from the printing business his love for numismatics led him to open Don’s Coins.
In 1980, Mr. Blake was elected to the New Hanover Board of County Commissioners where he served four years and was chairman in 1982. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving as chair for the committee to preserve the old courthouse. He served for 10 years on the Board of Trustees for Cape Fear Community College and as chairman for his last two years. In that capacity, he headed an effort to establish a course for Registered Nurses at CFCC. He served on the County Board of Health for a total 19 years, with numerous terms as chairman.
As a member of the board of health he was responsible for spearheading adoption of a state law requiring that a clean plate must be used each time a diner returns to a buffet. Mr. Blake was honored by the state with the Carl Durham Award for the most outstanding local board of health member. He was also honored by the New Hanover County Board of Health by having a conference room named in his honor.
He was a longtime member of Post 10, American Legion; The Kiwanis Club of Azalea City, SENCLAND Chapter, The Retired Officers Association (TROA) and served a term as president, a member of The Quiet Birdmen, Wilmington-New Hanover County Military Affairs Committee, a member of the Old New Hanover Genealogical Society (ONHGS), Moore’s Creek Battleground Association and the Lower Cape Fear Coin Club.
He was born April 4, 1924, in Wilmington and was preceded in death by his parents, Alvah M. Blake and Bertha Pierce Blake; brothers, Henry C. Blake II and Alvah M. Blake; and his former wife, Martha Hoover Blake.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Cathey Reeves Blake; children, Diane Blake Racey, of Raleigh, Gary Blake and wife, Twanda, of Wilmington and Linda Blake Gross and husband, Otto, of Salisbury; grandchildren, Barbara Racey Crowder (Trey), of Forest, Va., Derick Racey, of Fuquay-Varina, Shannon Blake King (Scott), of Hampstead and Kristin Blake Horrell (Phil), of Wilmington; eight great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Molly Humble Nguyen, of Fernandina Beach, Fla. and Jimmy Humble, of Wilmington; step-grandchildren, Blake Nguyen, of Tampa, Fla., Alycen Nguyen, of Wilmington, Spencer Nguyen, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Casey Humble, of Wilmington and Jenna Humble, of Wilmington; sister, Jeanette Blake Marshall (Jim), of Kinston; brother, David E. Blake (Janice), of Dunwoody, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews who he loved very much.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Lower Cape Hospice and Life Care Center for the loving physical, emotional and spiritual support given to Mr. Blake, Cathey and Casey during this difficult time. We love you all.
“When I depart this earthly life, I don’t want mourning. I would rather that those still living consider that I have had a good life. There have been hardships and all the trials and tribulations which are a part of life. I have been most fortunate to be surrounded by good people most of my life, family and friends. I have been to many places and seen many things. I have been involved in interesting and enjoyable things. I hope that it can be said about me that I served my community and my country, and that I have helped make a difference.”
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Scotts Hill Baptist Church, Scotts Hill Loop Road. Interment will follow at Sea Lawn Memorial Garden in Hampstead.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Blake’s memory may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington NC 28401 or UNCW Advancement, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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