Obituaries

LARRY BLAKER, 81, of Perry, IA

Larry Grant Blaker was born July 11, 1935 the son of John Grant and Cora Marie (Wessel) Blaker of Sand Springs, Iowa. He graduated from Teacher’s College High School in Cedar Falls, IA with the class of 1954. Larry attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA on a football scholarship and returned to Cedar Falls to attend what is now known as UNI, majoring in Physical Education. He later received his Master’s and Specialist Degrees in School Administration from Iowa State University. Larry married Patricia A. Smith of Ames, IA at the Ames Collegiate Methodist Church on December 21, 1958. His first teaching job began at Boone High School where he started their first high school wrestling program. In 1970, they moved to Perry where Larry became the Associate Principal at Perry High School. He later accepted a position as the Principal of Woodward – Granger Schools where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Larry loved officiating wrestling and was voted Iowa High School Wrestling Association “Official of the Year” in 1994. Also, being inducted into the Iowa State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996 was a great honor for him. Larry loved golf and was a fierce competitor. He spent hours playing at the Perry Golf and Country Club where he served as a board member for many years. He loved to travel, and after retirement he and Pat enjoyed the years they wintered in Destin, FL. He was very active in the Perry community with memberships in the Perry Elks Club, Optimists Club, and Masonic Lodge. He was a ten year board member of the Rowley Masonic Home. A very important daily routine for Larry was meeting with his morning coffee group of friends. Most of all, Larry loved to spend time with his wife of 58 years and his sons and their families. Survivors include his wife Pat Blaker of Perry, IA; three sons Jim (Cindy) Blaker of Colfax, IA; Joe (Julie) Blaker of Woodward, IA; Tom Blaker of Sunnyville, CA; one sister Bobbette Blaker Fortney of Cedar Falls, IA; seven grandchildren Max (Alex) Blaker, Andrew Farley, Arion (Justin) Tooley, Amanda (Ben) Feathers, Elyse Blaker, Samantha Blaker, Andrew Blaker; four great grandchildren Callie Jo Tooley, Kinsey Tooley, Colt Tooley, Graeme Blaker and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Perry Golf and Country Club. Memorials may be made in Larry’s name and can be sent to Murdock Funeral Home, Perry, IA or may be given to a charity of your choice. Larry passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center. Online condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhome.net