John T. Blake

John Terrance (Jack, JT or Ghosty) Blake was the third son born to Shirley (Kaspari) and James E. Blake on June 13, 1946 in Jamestown, ND. At that time, his family lived in Buchanan, ND where his parents taught school. When Jack was five years old, his parents and 3 brothers moved to Fargo. He grew up on 7th street in North Fargo, across the street from the old Fairgrounds and Barnett Field. This afforded all the 7th street kids their own playground and access to the Fargo-Moorhead Twins during the summer. Jack was a catcher on his Little League team at Mickelson Field and often played “pick-up” football and baseball on the block. Two more brothers were added to Jack’s family after he moved to Fargo. Jack attended elementary/middle school at Holy Spirit where he challenged the Presentation Sister’s authority, worked through his frustrations at recess and did pretty well academically. Jack successfully transitioned to Shanley High School where he played football as a linebacker for Sid Cichy and made the honor roll as a freshman. Thereafter, emotional problems slowly began to manifest by losing interest in playing sports, slipping grades and withdrawing from friends and family. A mental health diagnosis and treatment was not made at that time and it was only after Jack graduated from high school and joined the Air Force that the seriousness of his emotional problems were appreciated. He was afforded inpatient treatment in many of the VA’s in this region at that time but was never able to successfully transition back into the Fargo community as a college student or find full time employment. In spite of numerous meaningful interventions by Jack’s friends and family, he preferred to live an alternative lifestyle in Fargo Moorhead. Over the last 11 years, Jack was in recovery and was very proud of that accomplishment. In later years, he lived at the New Life Center in Fargo. Jack enjoyed following college football and professional baseball. After he developed more medical problems, he was transferred to Bethany Retirement Community. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and James Blake; an older brother James E. Blake Jr.; and a younger brother, Thomas R. Blake.

He is survived by his brothers Dr. William (Gina) Blake from Detroit Lakes, MN, Dr. Jerry (Susy) Blake from Eden Prairie, MN and Dennis Blake from Fargo.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Boulger Funeral Home on June 25th at 2:00 PM.

Donations in John’s memory can be made to the New Life Center Foundation in Fargo.