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Ralph W. Blakesley Fullerton, CA QCWA # 3933 |
Ralph W Blakesley, 96, of Frederick, Maryland, passed from this life on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Country Meadows in Frederick MD. He was the loving and devoted husband of 63 years to the late Billie L. Goodwin Blakesley.
Born on June 11, 1920, in Oroville, CA, he was the son of William Henry Blakesley and Corabel Estelle (Wallington) Blakesley.
He was graduated from Fullerton Union High School, Fullerton, CA. and later went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering.
Ralph served in the U.S. Navy for two years as a Photographer's Mate, 2nd Class, stationed at the Naval Training Base, San Diego, CA. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946.
Ralph worked in a B-25 aircraft assembly plant during WWII. After leaving the Navy, he worked as a professional photographer, and then a machinist, tool and die maker. For the remainder of his working life Ralph was an electronics technician employed by several aerospace companies. During this period, the rise of transistors and micro circuitry was revolutionizing electronics. He found himself applying new technologies as a member of a large team who developed components for the Apollo manned space craft and later, high-speed tape data recorders for commercial satellites.
He was a lifelong Master Mason of Lodge #339, F. & A.M, in Fullerton, CA. Over the years he enjoyed active participation in various clubs in both California and Maryland related to his hobbies.
Most of his leisure time was devoted to his hobbies, including photography, amateur radio, metal detecting, personal computing, and local civil war history. He loved to fish for rainbow trout, scan beaches for coins and deserts for gold, and search local farms for civil war relics. These interests allowed him to spend considerable time outdoors and travel to many parts of our country. He was an avid reader of books and magazines that were related to his occupation and hobbies.
He is survived by sons, Robert Blakesley and wife, Debbie of Frederick, MD and Donald Blakesley and wife, Sherry of Mercer, PA; four grandchildren, Brian Blakesley and wife, Susan, Michael Blakesley and wife, Dainah, Jennifer Blakesley McMurry, and Kristen Blakesley; six great grandchildren, Jason Blakesley, Alison Blakesley, Makenna Blakesley, Katharine Blakesley, Olivia McMurry and Aidan McMurry.
In addition to his wife and parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Catherine Emma Mary Blakesley Woodworth.
A memorial service will be held 3:00pm, Wednesday, February 22, 2017at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 2 to 3 p.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be expressed to the US Hereditary Angioedema Association (www.haea.org).
Online condolences may be made at www.staufferfuneralhomes.com.
Published Online in The Frederick News-Post from Feb. 16 to Feb. 19, 2017
Published in Print in The Frederick News-Post on Feb. 19, 2017