Jerry Volney Blake

Jerry Volney Blake was born July 3, 1934 to Volney Sr., and Ruth Blake in Kansas City, Kansas. Jerry was the second oldest of his siblings, James, Shirley, Janice and Mary Ruth. Jerry's parents and three of his siblings have preceded him in death.

During Jerry's childhood in Kansas City, Kansas, he attended Douglas Elementary and Northeast Junior High until the 7th grade until the Blake family moved to Los Angeles in 1945. Jerry attended Willowbrook Junior High, Compton High School and Compton Junior College. Jerry was a very hard worker early on and had many jobs after school and into his adulthood. Jerry worked about five years after college before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. While in the army, Jerry was stationed in Europe were he traveled to Germany and Amsterdam. After leaving Europe, he received an honorable-discharge from the Army where he went on to become a postal clerk for the United States Post Office until retirement.

In 1956, Jerry met his wife Jewel Reed and they married the following year. Their union resulted in the births of four children André (Tony); Gerry (Chris); Charné (Neicey) and Sharelle (Prinnie).

Jerry's many hobbies were reading, writing poetry, photography, listening to jazz music, playing the piano and clarinet.

Jerry resided at the Buckingham Road Senior Apartments where he entertained his neighbors in the community center by playing the piano and reading his poetry. He also was active while participating in their senior activities and was awarded certificates for his achievements and medals.

Jerry will be remembered as kind, nice, a gentle giant, thoughtful, always positive and upbeat. He loved his family immensely and will surely be missed by his loved ones.

Jerry Volney Blake leaves to cherish his memory his children, Tony, daughter-in-law Andrea, Chris, Neicey, Prinnie, his wife Jewel, his sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Chester Tollette, nephews Jeffrey Tollette, Nathaniel Smith, Aaron Smith, Tyrone Sherard, Joseph Sherard; neices Janate Smith and Autumn Sherard. Grandchildren Brittany Steele, Kaleem Blake, Cameron Blake Wilson, Lauren Dodson and aunt Virgil Leonard and a host of close relatives and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.