Lt. Col. Donald P. Blake, USAF, Ret., of Colorado, died Dec. 2015. He completed navigator training and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command, where he flew prop and, later, jet air refueling tankers. Blake was in the air during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was in command of a radaar base in the U.S. and later reassigned to jumbo cargo aircraft, both during the Vietnam War. While stationed in Europe, his aircraft was designated as a back up for Air Force One. Blake also earned a commercial pilot’s license. He retired with more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, the Illinois National Guard and the Florida National Guard. Afterward, he was an IRS-designated enrolled agent and was a financial planner. He operated his own tax accounting firm. Blake was a life member of The Citadel Alumni Association.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Blake, 250 Rainbow Dr. #15042, Livingston, Texas 77399-2050; a daughter, a son, a stepson, four grandsons, his great-grandchildren and a brother. Blake was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on March 9.
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