Lyle Graham Blaker

Lyle Graham Blaker at age 77, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Yuma after a long battle with illness. He was born July 26, 1933 in Athens Ohio.

Lyle served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for AA Amusements for many years and he owed the B&B Leather Shop on 4th Avenue during the 70's & 80's. Lyle retired from the Yuma County Sheriffs Department as a lieutenant of 21 years of service in 2002. He was an active volunteer at the Sheriff's Department until last year. Lyle joined the Yuma Jaycees in 1961 and became a life long member, holding every possible elected office and earning every possible award distinction. Lyle played bass at local venues around Yuma with Don Baggett in the "Sun Valley Boys". He was the first to play an electric bass in Yuma. While stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War, Lyle played with country music legend Mel Tillis.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Jean Blaker of Yuma; four children, Lyle Blaker Jr. of Yuma, Danny Vanak (Jeri) of Yuma, Christopher Vanak of Yuma, Donn (Rachel) Vanak of Tucson, Arizona and Patti K. Walker of California; seven grandchildren, Lyle Blaker III of California, Tiffany Blaker of California, Chris Vanak of Oregon, Mathew Vanak of Yuma, Destinay Vanak of Minn, Richie, Dezirae, Allan, and Mary Hendrix of Yuma, and Melissa Jean Vanak of Yuma; one great-grandson, Mario Lopez of Yuma.

Lyle is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and 2 sons, Davis Lester and Don Charles Blaker.

Memorial service will be held at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send donation to Hospice Compassus. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com

Published on March 12, 2011

Lyle Graham Blaker(1933-2011)

Lyle Graham Blaker, 77, of Yuma, died March 8, 2011, in Yuma.

Born July 26, 1933, in Fairfield, Ohio, he was a sheriff's lieutenant and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson Mortuary with cremation to follow at Desert Lawn.

Published on March 13, 2011

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.