Dallas D. Blake

Dec. 14, 1927-June 30, 2004

Dallas Dean Blake, 76, of Boise, Idaho, died the morning of June 30, 2004, at his home. Services were Saturday, July 3, 2004, at 11 a.m., at Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel, Idaho. Interment will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery, Idaho. Arrangement by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel.

Dallas was born Dec., 14, 1927, along with a twin sister, Darlene to Loyd and Daisy Blake of Frontier County. Dallas loved to joke that he and his sister were such small babies that their mother put them each in a shoe box and laid them next to the fire to stay warm at night. It was this sense of humor that friends and family remember so fondly of Dallas.

Dallas grew up in McCook, one of five children. After finishing school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1947-1948 and again from 1950-1951.

He married LaVerne McKillip on June 2, 1950. After honorable discharge from the military, he began a career with the Interior Department Bureau of Reclamation in McCook. He, LaVerne and their four children ultimately relocated to Boise in 1965 following a promotion with the Bureau, Dallas was most proud of his involvement with the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Dallas retired in 1983 following a 34 year career with the Bureau of Reclamation.

As his children grew, Dallas coached Little League baseball for years. Once his grandchildren became old enough to play baseball, he never missed a game, rain or shine, and everyone knew when Dallas was in the stands. Dallas then went on to become a die hard fan of prep baseball, coached by his oldest son, Rod.

Dallas was an avid horseman and a lifetime member of the Boise Valley Cutting Horse Association (BVCHA). He held numerous positions in the association including two terms as president. It was through this association that Dallas made countless life long friendships. If there was ever a time you couldn't find Dallas at home, he could be found on his horse. He also served as Superintendent of the Draft Horse Show for the Western Idaho Fair for 11 years until 2002.

In August 2002, Dallas was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, which he and his family fought tirelessly. Against all odds, Dallas overcame numerous set backs much like a cat with nine lives. Throughout his 2-year battle, Dallas never complained and he never gave up. He fought the good fight until June 30 when he was too tired to fight any longer.

Dallas is survived by his wife of 54 years, LaVerne; his four children and their families, Rod, Taunya, Matt, and Brian Blake; Barb, Rick, Jennifer, and Dana Cafferty; Gary, Cody, and Sierra Blake; and Brenda, Fernando, Sydney, and Hannah Veloz. He is also survived by two sisters from Nebraska, Jean Blake Evans and Darlene Blake Wagner, and a brother from Boise, Marvin Blake. Dallas was preceded in death by both parents, and oldest sister, Roberta Hamler.

Dallas‚ children would like to express their heartfelt thanks to their mother for the care she provided to Dallas for the last two years. She is the reason we all survived this long, difficult journey and the reason Dallas fought so hard for so long. Deepest thanks to the Paul Davis family.

The family also extends their thanks to Eric Maier, MD not only for his compassion and care of Dallas, but for the entire family. Special thanks to St. Luke's hospice and the staff at Advanced Home Health Care for their invaluable assistance during the last few months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dallas's name to St. Luke's Hospice or the Brain Tumor Research Foundation in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UCSF.

We love you PaPa!

- Sydney and Hannah