Patrick Lester Blakely

On Feburary 18, 2023, Patrick Lester Blakely passed away peacefully at the age of 66.

Patrick was born on October 30, 1956, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to Lester and Lila Jones Blakely.  His only sibling was Erin Blakely, born in 1958.  Erin passed away in her crib, at 6 months old.

When Patrick graduated from Rawlins High School, he was considered by many to be the smartest in his class.  His hobbies included playing the accordion, the trumpet and the piano.  He had a vivid imagination, and would often introduce himself to strangers, as Richard Bond, and carry on conversations as if he was someone else and from somewhere else, entirely.  His Uncle Richard was always astonished at how Patrick could pull it off, and Patrick had a grand old time doing it!

After high school, Patrick attended the University of Wyoming, majoring in Communications.  It so happened that his mother's brother, Richard Jones, who was only 11 years older than Patrick, and had spent time in the US Navy and working construction after his own High School graduation, was also going to the University of Wyoming at the same time.  The two had always gotten along superbly, and often were seen together, outside of class time.  His Uncle Richard's wife, Marsha just adored Patrick, and most weekends the three of them would be doing all kinds of things together.

After leaving the University, Patrick moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado, where he met and married Lori Schafer. They were married in Longmont, Colorado, in 1985; 3 sons were born, Sean Patrick in 1986, Scott Matthew in 1989, and Lucas Alexander in 1992.  Patrick was a Past Master Mason in Eaton Lodge of Larimer County, as well as Shriner. Patrick enjoyed performing Magic, and was considered to be a "Master Magician".  Patrick worked at Poudre Valley Appliance for 12 years, he and Lori raised three wonderful and rambunctious boys living in Colorado.  In 1993, his family moved to Powell, Wyoming, where Patrick worked for a car dealership in Cody, some 20 miles away from Powell. The couple divorced in 1996, and Lori and the 3 boys moved to Canada.

Patrick's Uncle Richard lived in Idaho Falls, and they invited Patrick to move over to Idaho with them.  Patrick worked at a local mom and pop hardware store, Samons.  When Samons closed up, Patrick went to work for a large industrial piping company, until their staff was reduced.  He was quickly hired by Home Depot, where he became known and respected throughout the community, as "Patrick in Plumbing", which is the way he answered his phone every time it rang.

Patrick's knowledge of appliances and plumbing was legionary.  He was known to listen carefully to customers explain a problem they were having, then draw out a solution for them.  Many people would say he saved them multiple trips back to Home Depot, just because Patrick would cover the problem and solution so well.  Even though he was full time at Home Depot, Patrick started a side business, helping people put in simple projects like water heaters and washers and driers, but he was also adept at designing and installing more extensive and complicated projects, like total heating networks and sprinkler systems.

Patrick was always more prone to give more of his time and energy than what many came to expect from others, and therefore he developed a devoted and faithful following in the community. Patrick was a good friend, especially to Richard and Marsha, and would do anything for them and for many others.  He is missed by many.  May he rest in peace. Patrick is survived by his ex-spouse Lori Schafer-Mclennan; son, Sean Blakely; granddaughter, Zoey Blakely; son, Scott Blakely; son, Lucas Blakely; his Uncle Richard; and many other extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 14, 2023 at Snowy Range, Wyoming, where he will join his Mother, and Aunt.