Roy Blake Sr.

Roy Blake Sr.
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
June 1, 1987 – July 21, 1987
Preceded byCarl A. Parker
Succeeded byJohn N. Leedom
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
February 28, 1978 – January 10, 1989
Preceded byDon Adams
Succeeded byBill Haley
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 4th district
In office
January 9, 1973 – January 10, 1978
Preceded bySteve Burgess
Succeeded byBill Haley
Nacogdoches City Commission
In office
1965–1971
Personal details
Born
Roy Morris Blake

March 29, 1928
Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 2017(2017-03-04) (aged 88)
Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S.
Resting placeSunset Memorial Park, Nacogdoches, Texas
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mae Deanne Goodwin
(m. 1949; died 2012)
Children5, including Roy Jr.
Residence(s)Nacogdoches, Texas
Alma materStephen F. Austin State University
Texas A&M University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/warsWorld 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

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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

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Political

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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

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

References

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  1. ^ "Roy Morris Blake Obituary - Nacogdoches, TX". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Mobile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Bass, Gary (8 March 2017). "Former state senator and founder of Nacogdoches' Roy Blake Insurance dies". www.ktre.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Mae Deanne Blake". Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "Texas Senate" (PDF). Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Former state senator and founder of Nacogdoches' Roy Blake Insurance dies". KTRE. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
January 13, 1987 – June 1, 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Texas Senate from District 3
February 28, 1978 – January 10, 1989
Succeeded by
Preceded by Texas House of Representatives from District 4
January 9, 1973 – January 10, 1978
Succeeded by
Bill Haley
Preceded by
Nacogdoches City Commission
1965–1971
Succeeded by