Donald W. Blake

Donald W. Blake, 92, passed away Jan. 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. He was born in Alexandria, Indiana on June 21, 1925. He was preceded in death by his father, Shirley John Blake and mother, Ruth Waymire Blake. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sandra Douglas Blake. He is also survived by his children, Donna (Mark) Jung, Sylvia (Bill) Miller and Doug (Rhonda) Blake; grandchildren Kurt Jung, Molly (Korey) Olds, Stephanie (Phill) Klimmek, Hannah Jung, Brian Miller and Steven Blake, his sister Eleanor Selle, niece Marj Selle and nephew Barry (Sherry) Douglas.

Don was a 1943 graduate of Winchester High School in Indiana. He enlisted in the Army Specialized Training Program which sent him first to California, where while on leave he saw movie stars. He then attended Syracuse University for two semesters. During World War II, he was a combat rifleman in the Army serving in both Europe and Japan. After graduating in 1949 from Indiana University with a B.S. in Business, he worked for Sun Life Insurance Company. Later he became a merchandiser for Sun Oil. He subsequently bought and operated a Sunoco Service Station.

In 1960 Don and Sandy bought a Dairy Queen which they owned until 1985. During this time, Don developed his love for photography into a professional commercial business, a passion which began in high school. Beginning with in-home portraits, he expanded to sports photography which included covering the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Valvoline Oil Company, as well as many college and professional basketball and football games for United Press International and the Associated Press. He was a lifetime member of the Speedway Oldtimers Club. Other clients included the Indianapolis Girl Scouts, Wayne Township School District, St. Francis Hospital, the Indiana State Fair, and Christian Theological Seminary's Repertory Theater. He also taught photography at Wayne Township night school. He enjoyed taking photographs of the western United States. And, of course, there were lots and lots of family photos from holiday gatherings to the grandchildren's sporting events and everything in between. Some of his photos can be viewed at www.pbase.com/waymire . Also a jazz and classical music lover, he was an early Hi-fi buff.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10 A.M with a service following at 11 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where he was a longtime member. The church is located at 3535 Kessler Blvd. North Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46222. Memorials can be made to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church or the Salvation Army.