Roger William Blake

Roger William Blake, age 66, passed away quietly on May 31, 2018 with family by his side, after a valiant battle with heart failure. His decision a few years ago to continue to fight was based solely on his desire to spend time with his family and especially his grandkids. He took advantage of every opportunity to be with them.
Roger was born in Salt Lake City on March 19, 1952 to DeLaun Blake and Willhelmena Waldorf Blake and grew up in Bennion on the family dairy farm. He was the 3rd of 4 siblings.
He graduated from Kearns High School in 1970 and then served a mission for the LDS Church in the Manitoba-Minnesota Mission. Upon returning from his mission he played football for Ricks College in Idaho, where he met his wife Leeann Merrill. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 17, 1976. Together they had five children they raised in Erda, Utah. He taught them the value of hard work by establishing and running a successful sod farm, and what he proudly referred to as “the largest trucking company in central Erda!”
His favorite hobbies were hunting, camping, 4-wheeling, motorcycle riding, shooting and exploring. He enjoyed doing these things with family. He developed a pond and park on his property where he could fish with his grandkids. He loved teaching them how to cast and fish.
His grandkids were his greatest joy. He loved watching them grow and develop in their talents. He and his wife spent many hours traveling to see dance recitals, competitions, ball games, and music recitals. He also got a play fort for them to play on in the backyard.
He served in many church callings including in the Bishopric, Sunday School Presidency, Young Men’s Organization, and was a Young Single Adult representative. He was a good home teacher and neighbor. He served the families around him by doing yard work, home and auto repairs, loaning equipment and just visiting.
Roger loved working with the youth of the area. He often hired local youth to work on the sod farm and taught and mentored them. He valued hard work and was tough to work with at times, but those that worked for him worked hard and were more prepared for the future when they left.
One of Roger’s greatest qualities was his sense of humor. He laughed and joked, and made friends with people wherever he went.
Roger loved learning about history. He had an extensive knowledge of WWII tanks and planes, as well as historical battles and tactics. He enjoyed watching documentaries and sharing that knowledge with anyone who would listen.
He was proud of his Southern heritage. He loved seafood and loved teaching his grandkids how to cook and enjoy it.
Roger found happiness in simple things, and had a way of making the ordinary special and extraordinary. His family always knew he had a strong testimony of the Gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Leeann and his five children Jessica (Chance) Stewart, Annalyn (Eric) Clay, Merrill (Jane) Blake, Randall Blake, Ryan (Liza) Blake by his sister Vida Michael Paul) Frieden, brother Dee (Allison) Blake, his self-adopted sister Chris Connelly, and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Andrew Blake Clay. He will be missed by many.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the new Erda Stake Center on 1050 West Erda Way, in Erda Utah, with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. There will also be a viewing on Friday night the 8th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Memorial Redwood Cemetery on 6500 S. Redwood Rd.
Service Information
Viewing June 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM
1050 West Erda Way, Erda, Utah





Viewing June 9, 2018 at 9:30
1050 West Erda Way, Erda,Utah





Funeral Service
June 9, 2018 at 11:00 AM
1050 West Erda Way, Erda, Utah