William Terry Blake, 81, passed away July 10, 2021, at Diversicare of Larned. He was born Sept. 4, 1939, in Larned, to William Ralph and Wilma (Keeton) Blake. He married Connie (Howell) Schuld Nov. 6, 1959, and they later divorced after 20 years of marriage. He then married Alice Darlene (Bridwell) Short March 14, 1981, in Garden City. 

Terry graduated from Rozel High School in 1957. He attended Fort Hays State University to become a CPA but after a year he changed his major. Moving to Great Bend from Pawnee Rock in 1986, Terry was a farmer. He also had worked in the construction business as well, until he retired in 2003, having worked for Larned State Hospital and Marlette Motor Homes. He was a former member of Extreme Hope Christian Fellowship Church, current member of Eagles Lodge #647, and enjoyed fellowship at the BPOE Elks Lodge 1127. Terry enjoyed fishing, hunting elk and sitting in his favorite chair, from his grandmother, in his front yard, watching the world go by. In his younger years, Terry enjoyed singing, along with his brother and two sisters, with the “Singing Blakes”. 

Survivors include, his wife Darlene Blake of the home; his children, Jeff Blake (Chris Shelton) of Kansas City, Mo., Jill Eckfeld (Greg) of Warrensburg, Mo., and Jon Blake of Pittsburg; two stepsons, Kenneth Short (Tammy), and Donald Short, all of Great Bend; “forever daughter”, Debbie Lamb of Great Bend; his siblings, Sheryl Carmichael of Norman, Okla., Dan Blake of Dallas, Texas, and Sandy Blake of Norman, Okla.; seven grandchildren, Trista Calhoun (Sam), Nikki Blake, Cody Blake (Ashley), Brenton Blake (Kimberly), Benjamin Blake (Jessica), Kendra Veyon (Joel), and Kasey Vera (Joel); eight great grandchildren; four step grandchildren, Merry Releford, Darcy Short Nye, Andrea Short, and Kendra Vonfeldt; 15 step great grandchildren; and his canine companion, Buddy. He was preceded in death by his father, William Ralph Blake; and mother and step father, Wilma and Herman Dirks.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 16, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home with Chaplain Jeffrey Owen presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Memorials have been designated to the William “Terry” Blake Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 14, 2021