Gerald 'Jerry' Blake

DEER LODGE — Gerald 'Jerry' Blake, 66, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006, at his ranch in Garrison. Jerry was born in Missoula, Nov. 10, 1939, to Fritz and Alene Blake, He attended high school in Missoula and Butte, graduating from Butte Public High in 1957.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Army upon graduation from high school and was stationed at Fort Dix, Fort Ord, and Frankfurt, Germany, where he was an accomplished marksman on the U.S. Army skeet team.

After completing his tour of duty, Jerry attended the University of Montana where he studied English and History. In June 1963, he married Gloria Christopher.

Jerry started his automotive career at 93 Chrysler in Missoula as a mechanic and ultimately became shop foreman. His career led him through an unprecedented rise from mechanic up through the corporate ranks to the executive level. That required the family to relocate numerous times from Oregon to California to Texas, and ultimately to Detroit.

Jerry married Jacqueline Fisher in May 1985 in Detroit. He retired from Chrysler in December 1993, and he and Jackie relocated to their ranch at Garrison. There he pursued his many interests including hunting, fishing and restoration of muscle cars and M37 army trucks. His mechanical abilities were well known, winning him honors at numerous car shows, as well as a national reputation of excellence.

Jerry loved spending time with family and friends at his vacation home on the east shore of Flathead Lake. He enjoyed his 12 grandchildren and four nephews and three nieces, teaching them gun safety, fishing, hunting, mechanics and sharing his love of history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Alene Blake and his son, Kenneth.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Blake of Garrison; sister Anna Gibson of Phoenix; daughter Kimberly Blake of Kalispell; stepdaughters Denise Polin, Diane Bauman and Jill Stuk of Michigan; stepson Todd Fisher of Virginia; 12 grandchildren; four nephews, three nieces and his dearest friends, David Wren and Jack Hinkle.

A memorial service was celebrated Oct. 11 at Jewell Funeral Home in Deer Lodge.

Memorials may be sent to Powell Count Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Highland Hospice of Deer Lodge.