Blake Chaplin

Blake Robert Tays Chaplin, 52, of Leawood, KS died Sunday, August 22, 2021 near the Manly Beacon formation along the Golden Canyon Hiking Trail in Death Valley, CA. Blake was born March 1, 1969 in St. Louis, MO and grew up in Valparaiso, IN. He attended Chesterton Indiana High School, an enrollment of over 2000 students, where he lettered in swimming, and set the school record for the 500 meter individual event. That record stood for 9 years. He graduated in 1986.

Blake attended Purdue, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in Engineering. He began his professional career with Jeld-Wen Door Co. in Grinnell, IA. In 1997, Blake was hired by General Motors as a Production Supervisor in the Wentzville, MO plant. In 2009, he was transferred to the G.M. plant in Fairfax, KS where he worked until his death.

Blake and his wife, Katie Rieman Chaplin, also employed at the Fairfax plant as Production Supervisor, have known each other since birth, as their respective fathers grew up as best friends in Jacksonville, IL. Blake and Katie lost contact during their youth and early adulthood. However, they re-connected in 1999, and were married June 15, 2002. They have two daughters. Brianna is a freshman in the College of Engineering at Iowa State in Ames, and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Kylie is a sophomore at Shawnee Mission East, and a member of the cheerleading squad.

Blake is known by his family and friends as energetic, fun-loving, charming, intelligent, thoughtful and kind. His enthusiasm for travel and adventure was contagious as he planned family trips all over the country. He was especially interested in antiques and historical information. He has a large collection of magnets as souvenirs from his many travels. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, various sports and especially NASCAR racing. His strong sense of patriotism, love for his country and his family identify him at his core.

Blake is survived by his wife Katie, their daughters Brianna and Kylie, his mother June Wilson, step-father Wayne Wilson, of Leawood, KS; his step-sister Jamie Wilson of Spring Hill, KS; his father Bob Tays and step-mother Gaylene Tays of Visalia, CA; his father-in-law Bob Rieman and mother-in-law Peggy Rieman of The Village of Loch Lloyd, MO; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Brandon and Marla Grimes, and niece Maggie Grimes of Severna Park, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Folds of Honor or Tunnel to Towers. Both organizations support wounded veterans and their families.