James L. Blaker, 88, of West Liberty, passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine.
He was born on October 30, 1932 in Oak Hill, West Virginia, a son of the late Joseph E. and Belle E. (Nugen) Blaker.
On June 4, 1955, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Y. “Bonnie” Covey, in Columbus, Ohio and she survives. He is also survived by a son Greg (Reva) Blaker of West Liberty; a daughter, Sherry (Brad) Brandt of Wheelersburg, Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Blaker of Urbana; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sarah Crooks of Columbus, and Esther (David) Van Hoose of Stoutsville, and brother-in-law Mike Heller of Columbus and sister-in-law Lori Blaker of Meridian, Idaho; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was also preceded in death by his son Jeff Blaker; grandson Tyler Blaker; sisters, Glenna Zepp, Jane Heller, Jeanne Luckett, infant Geneva Blaker; and two brothers, Joseph Blaker and Kenneth Blaker.
Jim graduated from Trap Hill High School in 1950 and Franklin University in 1958. A U.S. Marine Corp. Korean War veteran, Jim worked many jobs that required him to travel internationally. He worked at North American Rockwell, the Transportation Research Center, Humanetics, and R.A. Denton, Inc. He specialized in testing instrumentation, working with the automotive industry. Jim’s name appears on a plaque on the Pathfinder space craft on the surface of Mars. Jim was an avid horseshoe pitcher and was a member of NHPA and the West Liberty Horseshoe Club, which he helped organize in 1982.
Pastors Brad Brandt, son-in-law, and David Van Hoose, brother-in-law, will officiate a private graveside service in Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, West Liberty, is honored to serve the Blaker family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.