Leonard Blakely

Leonard Donald Blakely

1943 - 2021

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Obituary of Leonard Donald Blakely

Leonard Donald Blakely was born on April 15th, 1943, in South Bend, WA to Donald and Lorraine Blakely. He passed away on November 3rd, 2021, in Puyallup, WA after a brief battle with congestive heart failure.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Ellen Blakely of Puyallup; one son, Daniel Blakely and wife Kim of Godfrey, IL; two daughters, Karen Hansen and husband Pete of Yelm, WA and Christine Coyner and husband Gary of Puyallup, WA; two brothers Doug Blakely and wife Petrina of, Hawaii and Dennis Blakely and wife Karen of Raymond, WA; one step brother Ollie St Clair of Montana; two brothers in law, Harvey Titherington, and Walt Pea and wife Marilyn; one sister-in-law Jan Horne; 5 grandchildren; Crystal and fiancé David, Kory and wife Cathryn, Dylan and wife Kori, Abby, Dillon and girlfriend Allissa; and 11 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members as well as many Eagle Members who were his brothers and sisters.

Leonard married the love of his life in 1962 after knowing each other all their young lives and dating for 2 years. Leonard worked at the oyster canneries in the winter and ran the farm labor office for WA State during the spring and summer months. In 1966 Leonard and Ellen bought a gas station in Grandview WA that they ran for 2 years with their young children in tow. In 1970 they moved to Chehalis, WA. Leonard worked for DSHS, Leonard was transferred to the Puyallup/Tacoma/Seattle WA region where the family moved to their Puyallup home and raised their children until graduation. Leonard retired from DSHS Fraud Investigation unit after 31 years. In 1975 Leonard joined the Puyallup Eagles. Leonard was very active with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a member of Daffodil Aerie 2308, Puyallup, WA. He served in many positions; Aerie Secretary 10 years, Past President Daffodil Aerie 2308 two times, Pacific NW Regional President, Washington State President, Board of Directors for The Diabetes Research Center, numerous Nat’l Chairman positions, Organized 3 Aeries in WA State, State Membership Chairmen 3 times. National Ritual Champions, District and Zone President, Agent to help other aeries, Leonard and his wife also started the Oyster Dinner that raised money for Camp Panther, a diabetes camp for kids, which was a compassion of his after being a diabetic for years, along with his daughter and granddaughter. Leonard all around loved and enjoyed being an Eagle member. He was inducted into the Grand Aerie Hall of Fame, and he also formed the committee for the Washington State Hall of Fame which he was later inducted in to. After the kids were all grown, Leonard and Ellen moved to Parkland, WA where Leonard was able to explore and enjoy his love for trains and gardening. He built and entire train track that spanned the entire back yard, and enjoyed spending time with the kids and grandkids working on the trains and running them. He also built his greenhouse and was always trying something new, from flowers, to vegetables. They had campouts during summer holidays in their back yard. Leonard enjoyed traveling and he got to do a lot with the Eagles which brought him on extended trips to see his son in Illinois. He also loved visiting with his brother Doug and wife Petrina in Hawaii, and road trips back to South Bend to talk history and spend time with his brother Denny and wife Karen. He also enjoyed cruises with his wife and trips to Mexico with their good friends Mike and Martha Lagervall. Leonard loved his Dogs and had a few over the years, as well as cats and fish. Over the years, Leonard loved to spend time with his grandchildren, and eventually great grandchildren while he read them books as they sat on his lap. Leonard and Ellen moved to their final home 3 years ago when they decided to downsize where he continued his love for gardening and planting flowers for his wife and children.

Leonard will truly be missed by so many people

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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Edwards Memorial | University Place