Warren Richard Blakley

January 13, 1931 – September 11, 2017
Warren went to be with the Lord on September 11, 2017. Warren was born in Jersey City, NJ on January 13, 1931.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Louise Blakley, sister Elizabeth Louise, brother James, first wife Marilyn, and second wife Betty Lou.
Warren is survived by his loving wife Betty June, his two daughters, Wendy Watkins-Smith (Mark), Linda Gilmore (Guy), step children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, Robert and Bruce.
He was a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer his entire career, prior to retiring and starting a general contracting business in Morgan Hill.
He was active in church as an Elder, first ordained at the Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont, then serving at the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church in Morgan Hill. He enjoyed singing in the church choir for several years.
Warren was a member of several Masonic bodies including the Scottish Rite, York Rite, OES, Sciots and others. He was a Master Mason in South Valley Lodge No. 187 in Morgan Hill and had been initially Raised in Plainfield, NJ in 1963. He was a 50+ year Master Mason, Past Master in the Morgan Hill Lodge, recipient of the Hiram Award which is the highest award given within a Lodge. He also received the Cornerstone Award from the Sciots.
He was deeply involved in the Asiya Shrine and was Chairman of Patient Referral for seven counties. Many children were healed of major disabilities due to his efforts and leadership. He built a team of volunteer Shriners who conducted many screening clinics, finding children in need and referring them to the Sacramento Shriners Hospital.
Warren and his wife Betty June were also active in the Elks Lodges in Gilroy, then Hollister where he was a leader in several aspects and she was an officer.
Active in his community, he was a twenty gallon blood donor going back to the 1970’s. He served a term as a Trustee for Gavilan College as well as a term in the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee.
He was a passionate reader and had an extensive library. He was a history buff and deeply interested in CA and US history. He had several hundred western novels and started collecting science fiction novels in the 1950’s and accumulated over 500 pocket books.
He also enjoyed classical and Dixieland music and attended many festivals traveling to them in his RV. He had an active life and also enjoyed his set of HO Gauge trains.
A Masonic Service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 7:00pm at the Masonic Center in Morgan Hill.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10:00am at the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, if you so desire please donate to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.