Mr. Harvey Aultman Blake passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Ruston Nursing Home in the care of his loving wife. He was 89 years old. Harvey was born on October 28, 1934, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  After moving to Louisiana, he graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1954.  Following graduation, Harvey served in the United States Air Force from 1956-1960. He was extremely proud of serving our country and spoke of his time in the service frequently.

Harvey met his wife of 62 years, Lynda, while serving in South Carolina and they married on January 1, 1961. After marrying and leaving the service they moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Harvey worked for IBM for 15 years. He and Lynda later moved back to Ruston, Louisiana where he worked for Louisiana Tech University for 23 years in technical services.  In addition to his day job, he operated a small business, Ruston Business Machines, at night.

Harvey loved volunteering in our community through the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department SCOP program. He enjoyed riding in our parish patrol and doing house checks to serve others.  While he enjoyed working in his community, his favorite place on Earth was his farm. He loved to garden and spent many hours chasing deer away from his peas.  What made the farm so precious to him was the time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren there. It was his greatest joy.

Harvey also loved to listen to music and visiting with his family and friends. He was a very social person who never met a stranger and had even created a “Coffee Club” at Ruston Nursing Home. Every day he would go up and down the halls speaking to everyone.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Thelma Blake; brother, Wayne Blake; and daughter, Natalie Blake. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lynda Ruth Hughart Blake; sister, Mary Jane Patten; sons Todd Blake (JoAnn) and Tony Blake (Jennifer) all of Ruston, Louisiana. Grandchildren, Renee Arnold (Ryan) of West Monroe, Louisiana, Krislyn  Bolin (William) of Houston, Texas, Justin Blake, Landon Blake, and Libby Blake all of Ruston, Louisiana. Great-grandchildren, Leilah Arnold, Beaux Bolin, Bradley Arnold, and Charlotte Bolin. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Ruston Nursing Home for the loving care provided to Harvey and his family over the last few weeks.

In Lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. www.jdrf.org

Visitation will be Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Ruston Chapel.  Funeral Services will be Thursday, at 11:00 A.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel with Interment to follow at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens, 1270 LA-544 Ruston, Louisiana 71270.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at

www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston

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