Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Samuel Baker Blakely

Samuel Baker Blakely, 74, passed away Saturday, September 28, 1996, in San Antoino, Texas.

A descendent of Arkansas pioneers, he was born April 15, 1922, in Prescott to Irvin A. and Clarice Baker Blakely. He graduated from high school in Gurdon.

On June 23, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a radio man and gunner on a B-17. He was attached to the 8th Air Force and flew 35 missions over Europe for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and other medals.

After his discharge from the service he entered the University of Texas and graduated from its School of Journalism. He was employed in editorial position on papers in Mission, Beaumont and San Antonio. He retired after 36 years with The San Antonio Light.

He was a member of the University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, where he served as a deacon.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Virginia Shelton Blakely of San Antonio; a son, Brian Wayne; and two grandsons, Steven Samuel and Spencer Brian, all of New Braunfels, Texas; a brother, Newell H. Blakely of Houston, Texas, and a sister, Helen Lassiter of Hammond, Ind.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, October 1, at Waco Memorial Park in Waco, Texas, with Rev. Ron Durham officiating.