BLAKLEY, Ross D.

Ross D. Blakley, 84, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on December 30, 2003. We have lost our father but in a greater sense, a selfless individual who dedicated a tremendous part of his life toward the betterment of others. He had a sense of duty in which he always seemed to find time to serve on a civic board or committee or just help a person, friend or family member in need. As a father, he had a determination to provide us with opportunities he never knew. His devotion to his beloved wife Margaret never died and had missed her dearly since her death in 1999. The world is a better place for the life of Ross Blakley and all of those who knew him will always remember his generosity, caring and love. Today he is once again with Margaret and his son Dale who passed away in April. Born in Platte City, Missouri on November 8, 1919, he moved to Phoenix with his father in 1921. He attended Emerson Elementary School, graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1937 and then from Phoenix Junior College in 1939. From 1941 through 1945, he was a member of the U.S. Army Air Force and achieved the rank of Major. In 1944 and 1945 he was stationed in Germany as a fighter pilot, tactical reconnaissance. After the war he attended the University of Southern California and obtained his law degree in 1948. In 1948 he entered private law practice in Phoenix and in 1952, was appointed an assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1953, he resigned this post to join the law firm of Stahl, Murphy and Blakley where he remained until 1962. At that time he joined Associated Grocers of Arizona and remained there until 1984 as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. From 1984, until his death, he maintained an office and small private practice. Among his numerous accomplishments and civic services, he was a member of the Washington and Madison Elementary School Boards in 1956-57, the president of the Maricopa Bar Association in 1958, charter member of the Camelback Kiwanis Club and it's President in 1960, member of the Phoenix Library Board in 1961-62, member of the City of Phoenix Council in 1962-63, member of the City of Phoenix Municipal Aeronautics Advisory Board in 1967-72 as the Chairman for two of those years, and a trustee of the First Congregational Church for four years. He has been a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Bar Association for 55 years. In 1976, he was the recipient of the annual Food Industry Award from the Retail Grocers Association of Arizona. Survivors include three sons, Ross, Jr. (Dianne), Richard (Kathie) and Don (Charlene), grandchildren, Jason, David, Matthew, Keith, Ben, Tim, Dustin, Beth, and Chris, and great grandchildren, Miles and Colton. Visitation Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix and a memorial service on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at the Shadow Rock Congregational Church, 12861 North 8th Ave., Phoenix. Memorial contributions may be made to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 3627 East Indian School Road, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/4/2004.