In Loving Memory of James Leon Blakey

February 23, 1941 - November 4, 2023

James unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023. He was born in Savoy, Texas into a family of eleven children on February 23, 1941. The growing Blakey family later moved to Wylie where he graduated high school. After marrying his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life in 1960, he and Alice moved to Garland where they raised two children.

James was educated at various banking and business institutions, including Rutherfurd School of Business, SW School of Banking at SMU, and later completed numerous real estate courses. He began a banking career of over 30 years at First Republic Bank in Garland, and he later (at Truett Smith's request), accepted a position at First State Bank of Wylie (which eventually became Provident Bank). After banking, he embarked on a new journey selling real estate and eventually sold his RE/MAX franchise to "semi-retire" some years later.

James was a lifetime member of the Jesus Name Pentecostal Church (now The Refuge Church) in Wylie, which his father founded November 12, 1958. He was Spirit-filled that same year on a Friday night in a powerful revival service and was faithful to God his whole life.

James is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Sharon Black (Mike), son Clay Blakey, granddaughter Valerie Sanchez, and four great grandchildren (Mariam, Jana, Margaret and CJ). He is also survived by multiple siblings Bennie Blakey (Carolyn), Nancy Conkle (Bill), Betty Ratliff (Larry), Derrell Blakey (Darlene), David Blakey (Nancy), Marvin Blakey (Susan), Lynn Clodfelder, brother/sister-in-law Mike and Cindy Hunsucker, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Robert L. Blakey (Audrey), sister Martha Gunstanson and brothers Larry Blakey and John Blakey.