Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Blake Van Fleet Memorial
Blake Van Fleet Memorial

Blake Van Fleet

Blake Van Fleet

Friday, June 24th, 2022

Retired electrician and proud Poppy, Blake W. Van Fleet  passed away June 24, 2022 at his home in Sedro-Woolley.  His wife of 34 years Sherry Van Fleet was by his side.

Blakes great-grandparents Emmett and Eliza Van Fleet were homesteaders of Sedro-Woolley and Blake was born here on March 11, 1953.  He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1971 where he played left tackle for the Cubs.  Blake served in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1977 as an Electronic Warfare System Specialist working on warfare radar jamming systems on the island of Guam. In 1979 he started work for IBM and worked in Colorado and North Carolina, he returned home to Sedro-Woolley in 1986.  In 1987 he met the love of his life Sherry, and the two were married in April 1988.  Blake worked as an electrician reaching Master Electrician, a status earned by few in his field. He retired from Tesoro in 2015 and spent many joyful days swimming, playing and eating pancakes with his ray of sunshine, granddaughter Kilynn.  Blake loved being on the water in his boat fishing and crabbing with friends and family. A memorable time was spent on the Kenai Peninsula with cousin, Mack.

He is survived by wife, Sherry; daughter, Katy (Brad); granddaughter, Kilynn; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A special thank you goes to lifelong friends, Jimmy and Judy Booth for all their love and support given during this difficult time.

Blake was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Rosalie; sister, Brenda.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00, on Friday, July 8, 2022 at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles Club. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gretzky fund at the North Cascade Veterinary Hospital in Sedro-Woolley. Share your memories of Blake and sign the online guest register.

Guestbook

  • vicki l yowell

    Sherry and family, I only knew of Blake because my husband, Lee Yowell, worked with him on Guam, and said they fondly called him “Flake von Bleat”. I was just looking at the Keesler AFB fb pg., and recalled Blake’s name, as it is so unusual. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Lee served 20 yrs., from 73-93, the last 9 of which, in EOD, following his commissioning, via OTS, in Dec. ’84. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, in the crash of his experimental aircraft on 5/5/07. We had been married nearly 36 years, and were married, with a 5 mo. old daughter, at the time he was in tech. school at Keesler.

  • Phil Queen

    Although it`s been over fifty years since I last saw Blake at our awesome-1971-class Graduation, I`ve never forgotten him. Starting over at Cascade and continuing through High-School, we had a good number of classes together. I found Blake to be a very level-headed fellow, thoughtful and considerate of other people ! My thoughts and condolences to the family.

  • Marnie Dupruis

    Blake, you were a great childhood friend from Rasberry picking on your parent’s farm and through high school. You were there for me when my father died and kept me laughing. I have thought of you often and will continue to do so. I know God will be good to you and watch over your family.

  • Bill & Kelli Waits

    Blake and Sherry welcomed us to the neighborhood with open arms. Blake was always quick to help with any electrical questions or home owner advice we needed. Our children loved to say “Hi” and give hugs as if they were their own grandparents. Blake will forever have a special place in our hearts. All our love to Sherry, Katy, Brad & Kilynn

  • Debbie Stafford

    Dear Sherry and family: Please accept my condolences for the loss of husband, Father, grandfather Blake. I pray that our loving father up above wraps his loving arms around all of you and help you during this time. RIP my brother of the 💜 God Bless ..