HOWARD, Blake P.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, AZ Saturday, March 20, 2010 Blake P. Howard, age 92, died March 15, 2010, at his home in Prescott, Ariz. He was born in Statesville, N.C., the son of William Ellis and Lena (Pippen) Howard. Blake retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1969 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Bowling Green University and completed his Officers Candidate School at Harvard University. Blake served in the headquarters at many bases and at the Pentagon. He married June Frances Eblen Oct. 5, 1942. June preceded him in death on July 14, 1989. He was also blessed to have Patti Vorpahl in his life until her death and considered her family a part of his. He continued to be active in the Noon Day Lions and was awarded the Lions' Melvin Jones Service Award. Blake is survived by his daughter, Alice (Glenn) Bontoft of Brisbane, Australia; sons Greg (Lynn) of Truckee, Calif., and Don (Deborah) of Newport News, Va.; grandchildren Daniel, Douglas and Barry; great-grandchildren Dale Ryan, Hannah, Emma, Kayleigh, Logan and William Gregory; and sister Lavalette Howard Anthony. Blake was also preceded in death by his siblings Elbert, William, Gladys and Mary Emma. The family wishes to express their gratitude to his three living guardian angels - Sandy, Nan and Sue. A Celebration of Life Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury, Prescott, with full military honors by the Honor Detail of the American Legion Post 6. Inurnment will be at the Prescott National Cemetery. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Blake's guestbook and share a memory with the family. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family. Information provided by survivors.