Blakely, Robert McCool 1921-2002

BLAKELY, LINDSEY, GERMAN, KASPER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 12/5/2013 at 10:14:36

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
March 4, 2002

ROBERT BLAKELY

Robert M. Blakely, 80, of College Station, Texas, a native of Grinnell, died Friday, March 1, at College Station Medical Center.

Services were conducted at the A&M United Methodist church in College Station.

He was born Aug. 6, 1921, in Grinnell and was a graduate of Grinnell High School and Iowa State University. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

In 1949, Mr. Blakely returned to Grinnell to take over the family farm. In 1956, he and his family moved to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where he worked in agricultural services until his retirement in 1989. In 1998, he moved with his wife, Doris, to College Station.

He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and was active in the Texas A&M University chapter. He received the outstanding Alumni Award from Beta Nu Chapter in 1999.

Mr. Blakely was active in the Masons, Shriners and Elks, twice serving as Elks exalted ruler.

Surviving are his wife, Doris; two sisters, Virginia Lindsey and Harriet German; one daughter, Barbara Kasper of College Station; four sons, Bob of Fresno, Calif., Bill of Martinez, Ga., Lt. Col. Ron of Chula Vista, Calif., and Denny of Carmine, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Dr., College Station 77840.
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The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
May 20, 2002

ROBERT BLAKELY

Robert McCool Blakely, 80, of College Station, Texas, formerly of Grinnell, died March 1.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at the Grinnell United Methodist Church.

He was the son of A.J. Blakely, Jr. and Sarah McCool Blakely and was born Aug. 6, 1921, in Grinnell. He was a graduate of Grinnell High School and Iowa State University.

He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he worked for the Iowa Sheep and Wool Growers Association and the Farm Bureau. He returned to Grinnell in 1949 to take over the family farm.

In 1956, he accepted the opportunity to manage the largest hog farm in the southern part of the U.S. and moved with his family to the lower Rio Grande Valley. He later owned a feed store before beginning a 27-year career in the agricultural chemical business with Tide Products.

He lived in Mission, Texas, and remained employed as a citrus specialist until his retirement in 1989. He then worked for San Benito State Bank & Trust in public relations. He moved with his wife, Doris, to College Station in 1998.

Mr. Blakely was active with his five children in the 4-H program. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and was active in the Texas A&M University chapter. He received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Beta Nu chapter in 1999. He was active in the Masons, Shriners, Confederate Air Force and the Elks, twice serving the latter as exalted ruler. He was also a reserve deputy sheriff.

Surviving are his wife; two sisters, Virginia Lindsey of New York and Harriet German of Iowa; one daughter, Barbara Kasper of College Station; four sons, Bob of Fresno, Calif., Bill of Martinez, Ga., Lt. Col. Ron of Chula Vista, Calif., and Denny of Carmine, Texas; three stepchildren; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.