Thomas A. Blake

Thomas A. Blake, 95, of La Verkin, Utah, passed away on Sunday evening, December 15, 2024. He was born on July 25, 1929, in St. George, Utah, to Royal Hollis and Olive Wade Blake. Tom married Dora Williams on July 21, 1951, in Las Vegas, Nevada and they were sealed in the St. George Temple on October 16, 1952.

 Tom grew up in St. George, attending school to the ninth grade. He worked with his father on their homestead northwest of St. George and the Arizona Strip, raising cattle, as well as for the Schmutz brothers. Tom served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.

 In 1954, Tom, Dora, and their two children moved to Boulder City, Nevada, where they welcomed six more children. Tom worked for over 36 years at TIMET in Henderson, Nevada. He was a long-time member of the Boulder City Horseman's Association, where he shod and trained horses, hauled hay, and did many other tasks to support his horse hobby. He enjoyed many outdoor sports including rodeo, hunting, fishing, water skiing, and wrangling wild burros.

 Tom and Dora were devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they served as Guide Patrol leaders, preparing young boys for Scouting. He also served as a Seventy and was a dedicated home teacher who served many families for decades and developed many friendships that lasted his lifetime. After retiring to La Verkin, Utah, in a home he built, Tom served as a young men's leader, scout leader, and executive secretary in the La Verkin 2nd Ward. Together, he and Dora served five church missions.

 Tom is survived by his children: Keena A. Jorgenson, Jeffrey R. (Dorcie) Blake, Dani (Keith) Bettridge, Layna (Ken) Larsen, Royal W. (Susan) Blake, Wade A. (Amber) Blake, and Ben R. (Marcia) Blake; mentored children Brent (Vickie) Frank and Kory Blake; sisters-in-law Lola (Jerry) Glazier and Norma Bettridge; as well as many nieces, nephews, 43 grandchildren, and 97 great-grandchildren.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son T. Kerry, daughter-in-law Paulette Blake, grandson Thomas Christopher Blake, and several great-grandchildren.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21,2024, at the La Verkin Stake Center located at 481 N. Main St in La Verkin, UT 84745. Viewings will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Spilsbury Mortuary located at 25 N 2000 W, Hurricane, UT 84737 and before the funeral from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at the La Verkin Stake Center.

 Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com.