Bobby Blake

BOBBY R. BLAKE
Bobby Blake, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at the Cass County Memorial Hospital on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the age of 57 years.
Bobby Ray, the son of James Arthur and Evelyn Paulyne Johnson Blake, was born February 22, 1955 in San Angelo, Texas. As a child, the family spent time in Okinawa. He attended school in Lenox and Atlantic, Iowa and furthered his education at Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.
Bobby has been a longtime Atlantic resident and recently also resided in Lenox, Iowa. He was employed at Michael's Foods in Lenox and also in the Lenox Police Department. He has spent his life in law enforcement, having served over 20 years with the Atlantic Police Department.
On October 8, 2004, Bobby was united in marriage to Kathleen Ann Coan-Crespo in Atlantic, Iowa. He was previously married to Karen Sue (Conklin) Hoff in 1973. Bobby enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing guitar, inspirational song and poetry writing and Bible study. He was a member of the Atlantic Evangelical Free Church. His favorite time was spent with his wife and family and his most memorable trip was to California and to Florida in 2007 to meet his new in-laws.
Bobby will be remembered for his integrity, perseverance, giving nature and strong faith. He took his law enforcement career seriously and was often heard to say, "Life's too serious to not have some fun." and would add, "Especially in my line of work." He operated the Eagle School of Martial Arts and otherwise taught Tae Kwon Do and other self defense classes to adults and children, without charge, for over thirty years. He was, at one time, involved as a Golden Gloves Boxer. Bobby was an Iowa Transplant Donor of Life.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Atlantic; his children, Rachel Blake (Rob Jefferson) of Philadelphia, PA, Renee Blake of Omaha, NE, Ryan Blake of Iowa City, IA and step son, Chris Crespo of Atlantic, IA; step mother, Martha Blake of AK; siblings, Jymi (Tim) Sickles of AK; Danny (Angi) Blake of AZ, Vanessa (Tim) Schaffer of TX, Bill (Denise) Blake of AZ, Glenda "Skeet" (Randy) Flaherty of Murray, IA, Wanda Collins of MO, Marsha McKeown of MI; sisters-in-law, Colleen (William) Gulley and Heather (Rik) Tarnoff of CA; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, James Blake and Paulyne Kunze; daughter, Rebecca Lynn Blake, brother-in-law, Mike McKeown and nephew, Todd McKeown.