Raymond Leonard Blakley

He was preceded in passing by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth, and by his subsequent partner of 8 years, Ellen Champlin, and by his elder son Nigel.

He is survived by a sister Lorna, sons Philip,Mark (Karen), and Robin (Stefanie), grandchildren Benjamin, Matthew , Michael and Heather and great grandchildren Charlotte, Grayson, Beau, Lorelei, Julia, Claire, James, and Sean. And, of course, ‘Buddie’ his long time companion cat.

Raymond was born in 1926 and raised in Christchurch New Zealand where, after experiencing the grueling work of his father, Vernon, in a leather tanning facility, he chose to pursue a career in biochemistry. In, 1949 he married Elizabeth Stephens who he had met on a church youth caroling event. He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry in 1951 - the first issued by the University of NZ.

In 1951 he (along with wife Elizabeth and son Nigel) travelled to London, England, by ship, to complete a postdoctoral research program.

In 1953 he travelled back by ship (now with added son Robin) to Australia where he accepted his first research assignment at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. During this time,in 1959, he also became an ordained minister in the Church of England/ Anglican Church. (An extra commitment that he continued to practice throughout his life, eventually through the Episcopal Church in the US.)

In 1962 , he and the family (now with added sons Philip and Mark) traveled again by ship to California where he completed a one year sabbatical research assignment at UC Berkeley .

On returning to the ANU in 1963 he continued his research and was awarded a Doctorate of Science in 1966 in recognition of his achievements. His work was published in 1969 in his book titled “ The Biochemistry of Folic Acid and related Pteridines”. It subsequently became a textbook for students of the subject.

During this time in Canberra he also became an avid sailor on the newly formed lake in the center of the city.

Later in 1969 he accepted a research and teaching position at the University of Iowa Medical School, in Iowa City, Iowa and the family moved there to continue his research.

In 1981 he accepted a position as Chairman of the Pharmacology Department at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis Tennessee. His medical research was accompanied by continued work as an Episcopal minister traveling to churches throughout western Tennessee to provide needed services to individuals and congregations.

In 1991 he retired from St. Jude’s Hospital and moved to Fort Myers, Florida. There he and Elizabeth enjoyed extensive trips to Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Europe. They did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and the Wildlife refuge on Sanibel Island and he continued assisting at local churches. Subsequent moves occurred back and forth several times between Florida and California before finally settling in Monterey in 2014. Raymond and Elizabeth resided for their last years at the Sunrise/Ivy Park assisted living facility in Monterey where they were given wonderful care and support.

A celebration of Raymond’s life, followed by a scattering of ashes in Monterey Bay, is being planned for July when a larger number of family can be present.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations can be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Hospital or other charitable causes.