Roy Blake Sr. Explained

Roy Blake Sr.
Office:President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
Term Start:June 1, 1987
Term End:July 21, 1987
Predecessor:Carl A. Parker
Successor:John N. Leedom
State Senate1:Texas
District1:3rd
Term Start1:February 28, 1978
Term End1:January 10, 1989
Predecessor1:Don Adams
Successor1:Bill Haley
State House2:Texas
District2:4th
Term Start2:January 9, 1973
Term End2:January 10, 1978
Predecessor2:Steve Burgess
Succeeded2:Bill Haley
Office3:Nacogdoches City Commission
Term Start3:1965
Term End3:1971
Birth Name:Roy Morris Blake
Birth Date:March 29, 1928
Birth Place:Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S.
Restingplace:Sunset Memorial Park, Nacogdoches, Texas
Party:Democratic
Children:5, including Roy Jr.
Residence:Nacogdoches, Texas
Alma Mater:Stephen F. Austin State University
Texas A&M University
Battles:World War II

Roy Morris Blake Sr. (March 29, 1928 – March 4, 2017) was a Texas politician and businessman from Nacogdoches, Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from the 4th District. He also served in the Texas Senate from the 3rd district, and was president pro tempore of the Texas Senate in the Seventieth Texas Legislature.

Personal life

Roy Morris Blake was born on March 29, 1928, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Lynn T. and Pattie Lee Hall Blake, he was the youngest of 6 children. In 1945, he graduated from Nacogdoches High School, and then attended Texas A&M University for 1 year before enrolling in the US Navy to fight in World War II. After returning to Nacogdoches he began to attend Stephen F. Austin State University where he graduated in 1950.[1] On June 28, 1949, he married Mae Deanne Goodwin, they had 5 children together. One of their children is Republican Representative Roy Blake Jr.[2] Blake was a member of First United Methodist Church Nacogdoches.[3] Mae Deanne Blake died on April 24, 2012.[4]

Blake died on March 4, 2017, at his home in Nacogdoches, Texas, at the age 88; he was under hospice care. His funeral was held at First United Methodist Church Nacogdoches, and was officiated by Dr. Jeff McDonald. Blake is buried at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Career

Political

Blake began his political career by being elected to the Nacogdoches City Commission in 1965, he served 6 years or 3 terms on the commission. Blake was sworn in to represent Texas House of Representatives, District 4 on January 9, 1973. Blake was a strong proponent of local governments throughout his career, and earned recognition from Texas Municipal League. Blake was elected to Texas Senate, District 3 and was sworn in on Feb 28, 1978. While in the senate he was on several committees such as the Senate Administration Committee. Blake was president pro tempore of the Texas Senate during the Seventieth Texas Legislature.[5] [6] Blake was a Democrat.

Business

Blake founded the Roy Blake Insurance in 1963.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roy Morris Blake Obituary - Nacogdoches, TX. Dignity Memorial. July 11, 2021.
  2. Web site: Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Mobile. lrl.texas.gov. July 11, 2021.
  3. Web site: Bass. Gary. Former state senator and founder of Nacogdoches' Roy Blake Insurance dies. www.ktre.com. 8 March 2017 . July 10, 2021.
  4. Web site: Obituary: Mae Deanne Blake. July 11, 2021.
  5. Web site: Legislative Reference Library Legislators and Leaders Member profile . lrl.texas.gov. July 11, 2021.
  6. Web site: Texas Senate. July 11, 2021.
  7. News: Former state senator and founder of Nacogdoches' Roy Blake Insurance dies. KTRE. July 11, 2021.