Rulon "Dayle" Blake

RULON D. "DAYLE" BLAKE, LT COL. USAF (RET) "An Officer and a Gentleman" ST. GEORGE, UT -- Rulon Dayley Blake, 85, passed away in his St. George, Utah home on March 5, 2005, surrounded by his loving family. Dayle was born January 28, 1920, in Sugar City, Idaho. After graduating from the Ammon/Lincoln High School where he lettered in basketball, he joined the Army Air Corps during WWII. He married his high school love and sweetheart, Violet Ball on May 8, 1940. He passed the necessary requirements for officer training and continued with a 32 year career in the USAF as a decorated fighter pilot. He flew during WWII and the Korean War and completed many honorable assignments, including Professor of Aerospace Studies at Brigham Young University, Base Commander of Chambley AFB in France, and the AF Representative for Joint United States Military Aids Groups in Greece. During his career in the AF he obtained an MBA from Indiana University. Violet was his devoted companion throughout a career of over 41 moves serving their country. Their love was an example of the ultimate love story. After his retirement from the AF, Dayle continued working for Hatchco Trucking Company in Bountiful, UT. Besides flying, Dayle loved finance and stock investment trading; reading was a passion. He is survived by his wife, Violet Ball Blake and two daughters, Ana Louise (Tom) Hilleshiem, T. Karlene (Dan) Davidson, six grand children, Karrie (Brent) Martin, Angela Browning, Dayle Hilleshiem, Dayleen Browning, Shana (Craig) Barr, Kara (Curt) Allred, Lance D. (Nicole) Davidson, Melissa Davidson, 15 great grandchildren, and a brother William D. (Dot) Blake, and a half-sister, LaRee Smith. Preceding him in death are his parents, Rulon M. & Ethel Armstrong Blake, Leland & Ola Daley Ricks, a sister Venice Buell, brother James R. Blake, and brother Del Ricks. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon). The family will visit with friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the services. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Southern Utah Home Care & Hospice, 736 South 900 East, 107-B, St. George, UT 84790.