James Blakeley's Obituary
James Mason Blakeley, Jr. of Longview, Texas, died Monday September 30, 2013. He was born February 17, 1926 in Texarkana, Texas to James Mason and Naomi Blakeley. He was married to Margie Mae Horton, who he met inthe first grade.
Mr. Blakeley attended Longview public schools and graduated from Longview High School. He was 1944 Quarterback and Co-Captain of the Longview Lobos, President of the Senior Class, Vice-President of the Junior Class, Outstanding Sophomore and Captain of the basketball team. After serving in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II, he attended Kilgore College where he was a charter member of kappa Sigma fraternity.
Mr. Blakeley was a long time member of First Christian Church, where he faithfully served as an Elder and on different church committees. Active in community affairs, he was a Little League Coach and manager for twelve years. Many of his team members are today's leading Longview citizens. He served as a volunteer for both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. He worked with the Longview Christmas Parade and often lent his company trucks to organizations for their floats. As a member of the Jaycees, he served as Vice -President and Director. He was active in fund raising for the purchase and building of the Exhibit Building on the fairgrounds and worked on committees in the development , printing and sale of the Gregg County History Book, In 2003, Jim an his wife, co-chaired the 60th, 65th and 67th class reunions of their Graduating Classes of 1943-44.
He was Sales Manager and part owner of Royal Crown Bottling Company for 15 years. He retired from Petrolite Corporation as General Manager of Bareco Wax Refinery, a Division of Petrolite.
Mr. Blakeley was a past member of Pinecrest Country Club, Summit Club, Cherokee Club, Oak Forest Club and Elks Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving wife, Margie Mae (Maggie), his son Charles, daughter in law Suzanne, Son Jim and his wife Cindy, brother Robert and his wife Wanda and their families, grandchildren Lacee, Chaz, Brittney, Shauna, Ellen and Chassie.
Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Dunaway , Arthur Rowland, Richard Ails, Aubrey Buchanan, David Elkins, Westin Harper and Grandson Chaz Blakeley
Services for James will be held in Rader Chapel at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Saturday, October 5th. Interment will be in Grace Hill Cemetery Following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either Good Shepherd Foundation or Kilgore College Nursing Dept. or the charity of your choice.
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