Clarence Blakesley
Clarence Eugene Blakesley died Oct. 25, 2021. He was born in Holyoke on Sept. 1, 1932, to Percy and Carrie Blakesley. He was the youngest of six children.
Clarence married Vada June Hedges on Dec. 15, 1951, in Holyoke. They had three children, five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and they’re waiting for the birth of his first great-great-grandson.
Their daughter Marcy married Ronald Fernandez, and they had three children, Daniel Fernandez, Christina (and Albert) Santiago and James (and Diego) Fernandez.
Their daughter Teresa married Gary Hoffman, and they have two children, Brandon (and Lindsey) Hoffman and Heather (and Charlie) Cordova.
Their son Kem Allen Blakesley died as an infant.
Clarence’s great-grandchildren include Kalob (and Valerie) and son Ean, Nicholas, Zachery, Shelby and Joseph Fernandez, Albert Santiago III (and Diego), Christopher (and Tatdao) Santiago, Bonnie, Hugh and Nora Hoffman, and Charlotte and Cora Cordova.
Clarence served in the Army during the Korean War. He was sent to training just two weeks after his first child, Marcy, was born and was later stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he was assigned to be the personal driver for generals and maintained their vehicles.
After his return home, he and Vada had two more children, Teresa and Kem Allen.
They moved to Denver in 1959 where he worked for a delivery service and became “Uncle Clarence” as he helped “Aunt Vada” in providing care for about 120 foster children through Lutheran Social Services. Most were infants waiting to be placed with their permanent families. They also cared for a few older children with special needs.
Clarence and Vada became members of Grace Baptist Church, and he served as a deacon and volunteered with the youth group.
Clarence was a kidder. His children remember being dropped off at church for youth programs and he would find the worst, most embarrassing radio station and turn the volume up for everyone to hear while they were getting out of the car.
They moved back to Holyoke in 1976, and he worked many years providing maintenance at the Phillips County Court House and later at the landfill. He helped with Aunt Vada’s Daycare, and they cared for and loved dozens of children over the next 30 years.
Like his wife, he enjoyed the children. He had an invisible dog named Rover. He would have Rover sit, roll over and bark. The day care children, his grandchildren and later his great-grandchildren would all join in petting and talking to Rover. He was also personal assistant to Santa Claus!
Clarence and Vada later rejoined First Baptist of Holyoke, where he served as a deacon, helped set up for functions and was a member in his remaining years.
He was a great father. His daughters knew he was a “big ol’ teddy bear.” However, young men coming to court his daughters were intimidated by his stern look. Fortunately, this proved to weed out some and leave only the best husbands for each of his girls.
During the marriage ceremony of Gary and Teresa, he paid Gary “one dollar” for taking Teresa off his hands. He told Gary, “There are no returns, my son!” Payback came when he had to drive Teresa’s decorated car home alone with “Just Married” written on the back window.
Clarence loved cars. When he was young, he worked for his father in the wrecking yard and later restored old vehicles. His favorite was a 1931 Model A, which he originally paid $125 for and drove to work for several years while living in Denver.
Clarence was a dedicated husband. After Vada was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he would visit her almost daily at Regent Park nursing home to hold her hand, make sure she had her blanket or play bingo with her. Their family is grateful they are together again.
Clarence was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vada; daughter, Marcy; infant son, Kem; parents; brothers, Robert and Harold; and sisters, Marjorie Roberts and Eva La Rene Lytle.
He is survived by his son-in-law, Ronald Fernandez; daughter, Teresa and husband Gary Hoffman; sister, Ruby Roll; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Gail and Gaynell Hedges and Dick and Waydean Hedges; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family graveside services will be held at Holyoke Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to First Baptist Church of Holyoke.
Baucke Funeral Home of Holyoke was in charge of the arrangements.