Joel Harris Blake

Joel H. Blake, age 79 and resident of Mobile, AL passed away on November 27th, 2010. Joel grew up in Oklahoma City. He earned degrees in Engineering and Marketing from the University of Oklahoma where he was an active member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Joel also served a tour of duty in the Navy as Lieutenant onboard the USS Alvin C. Cockrell. Joel met Bobbie, his wife of 52 years, in Crystal Lake, IL where they lived for 20 years. Joel worked in the petroleum industry for 45 years, beginning his career with Pure Oil and moving up the ranks within Unocal in Illinois and Cenex in Minnesota. Joel settled in Mobile, AL, heading up Belcher Refining which was purchased by Coastal Corporation and finally retiring as President of El Paso Refining – Chickasaw, AL. Being a devout Catholic, Joel was very active in St. Dominic Catholic Church where he served as Lector, Usher, Jubilee Club (past president) and board member of the school board and financial planning committees. Over the years, Joel participated in many organizations including Boy Scouts of America as Scout Leader, Member of Chickasaw Chamber of Commerce, Jaycee’s, McGregor Bay Association, Fifty Funny Fellows and many others. Joel is survived by his loving wife Roberta (Bobbie) and his 4 sons; Joel R. Blake (Darlene) Tulsa OK, Chris Blake (Sue) New Ulm MN, Gary R. Blake (Sue)Mobile AL, and Jon P. Blake (Shannon) Mobile, AL.

Joel also leaves his 9 grandchildren: Joel, Sean and Jenny (Joel & Darlene), Olivia (Chris & Sue), Kayla and Connor (Gary & Sue), and David, Erin and William (Jon & Shannon). Visitation will be from 5 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at Radney Funeral Home, Dauphin Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 A.M. on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from St. Dominic Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.