Douglas Blakeley

Douglas Blakeley died peacefully at his home in San Antonio less than a month short of his 101st birthday. Doug was born in a farmhouse on the Illinois prairie to Leona Huber and Oliver Blakeley. He grew up without electricity or running water and spent much of his youth staring at the back side of the family plow horse. At the outbreak of World War II, Doug enlisted in the Navy’s V12 degree program at Illinois State University and was commissioned as an ensign in June of 1944. He served on the USS Hocking, a transport ship which landed marines on the beaches of both Iwo Jima and Okinawa during the early phases of those battles.

Doug was discharged in 1946 and returned to Illinois to marry Janice Ellingsworth, his college sweetheart. They remained together for over 77 years. After a brief stint teaching high school, Doug was hired by the Air Force as a civilian navigation instructor. He worked for the Air Force for the remainder of his career. From 1965 until his retirement, he worked in education services for the Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base. In retirement, Doug was active in Kiwanis and other charitable groups.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter; his sister Lucille Lippert and brother Paul Blakeley; and his loving wife Janice. He is survived by his brothers Scott Blakeley and Don Blakeley; sons Timothy Blakeley and Brian Blakeley (Lynn); grandchildren Reginald Blakeley (Katie) and Janice Salmon (Taylor); great grandchildren Caroline, Colby, Pacey, and William; and numerous nieces and nephews.

GRAVESIDE SERVICEMONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 20241:45 PMFORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Chaplain Maj. Gen. Lorraine K. Potter will officiate.