Our wonderful son, brother, and uncle has returned to his Heavenly Father. Blake Edward Connell, son of Edward J. (Bud) and Faye Johnson Connell died as a result of smoke inhalation resulting from an accidental, single-car fire in Tooele January 21, 1992. Police pulled him from the car before he was burned in any way. He was 29 years old.
Blake was born June 21, 1962 in Niagara Falls, New York. He was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He believed in the principles of the gospel.Blake served as a Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve 328th General Hospital as a Laboratory Technician for the last seven years. He completed one of the most difficult, strenuous, and challenging achievements in the military: Expert Field Medical Badge. Blake was a veteran of the Persian Gulf War; mobilized with his unit to Germany during Desert Storm. He was intensely patriotic.
In June of 1991, Blake graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Integrated Studies; emphasis in communication, computer science, political science, and law. He put himself through school. During his academic studies, he twice achieved the Presidential Honor Award for nationally-recognized, outstanding grade point averages.
Blake was a skilled Journeyman Carpenter and Journeyman Plumber. He was a heavy equipment operator. In addition, he built high-wall concrete design forms. In Blake's last position, he worked as the full-time Safety Engineer at the Tooele Army Depot on a 30 million-dollar structure.
Blake was an avid outdoorsman. He was an expert marksman with the bow and arrow and the rifle. He loved to fish, hunt, hike and go mountain biking with his friends. Blake was a talented softball player and enjoyed golfing.
Blake was a strong individual. He prided himself in his physical fitness. His keen communicative talents enabled him to read and interpret blue-prints, situations, and people from all walks of life. Blake's talent in communication was a tremendous blessing to his work, friends, and family.
Above all, Blake adored his relationships with people. He was known for helping his friends extensively. He spent hours wrestling and playing with his nieces and nephews. He supported his brothers and sisters in all their endeavors. He cared deeply about his parents and was totally devoted to them.
He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; Florence Barber and Erb M.
Johnson (Tooele), and Ellen (Nellie) Devine and Edward Patrick Connell (Tooele). He is survived by his parents, Edward J. (Bud) and Faye
Johnson Connell, Tooele; sister, Adele Herman and brother-in-law, Douglas Herman, Bountiful; brother, Jed Edward Connell and sister-in-law,
Mildred Connell, Tooele; brother, Mark Edward Connell and sister-in-law, Deborah Connell, Calif.; sister, Paulette Baucom and brother-in-law Glenn Baucom, North Carolina; and his special "baby" sister, Charlene (Nie-Nie) Connell, Bountiful; 13 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 1992 in the Tooele North Stake Center, 2nd Ward, 583 North 270 East, Tooele. Friends may call Friday, January 24, 1992 from
6-8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 So. Main, Tooele, and Saturday, 10-11 a.m. at the church.
Interment, Tooele City Cemetery.
"To Blake"
Beloved, baby brother
You have gone from us erstwhile
We thought of you as constant
How quickly life has flown.
We grew to love your Spirit
That held us fast to you
Your helpful, valiant sunlight
That now is Heaven bound.
Dear Blake, our precious brother!
How can we now go on
Without you life seems common
'Twas you that made it blessed.
I love you, darling brother
And if I had one wish
I'd only ask to hold you
Feel your heart within my breast.
It's Heaven that will join us
As we were joined on earth
And there you'll be the older
As I was here the first.
So, when that sweet reunion
Unites us once again
We'll feel that grief, at last, subside
Our tears no more to shed.
Dear Father, grant Blake's family peace
Enfold us with Thy love
To feel, to know, to understand
Blake's mission here on earth.
The laughter, light and joy of Blake
Will gently, softly fade
But, what he taught us with his love
Will always with us stay.
Farewell, our darling brother
Farewell, but not goodbye
At Heaven's gate, at last, we'll meet
There never more to part.
--Written by:
Adele Connell Herman on Jan. 21, 1992
(Blake E. Connell's Oldest Sister)
Copywrite 1992
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