John ""Jack"" Blake

John Clarke Blake of Woodland Hills, CA passed away peacefully in the hospice of West Hills Hospital on June 14, 2017. He was born on June 10,1931 in Denver, to John L. and Berniece Blake. He graduated from Denver East High School in 1949. He attended Colorado A & M. He graduated from the United States Marines Platoon Leadership program at Camp Pendleton, California. In 1956 he married Sharon English, a graduate of The Ohio State University, in California. After their marriage, Jack and Sharon moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver. In 1959 Jack received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation from D. U., Jack and Sharon moved to Woodland Hills to begin their careers in the aerospace industry with the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International. Jack was Rocketdyne's Program Development Manager for storable, upper-stage propulsion systems including the Peacekeeper Program. He had over 30 years of experience in designing and building the Atlas, J-2 Space Shuttle main engine and XLR-132 engine systems. During his tenure with Rocketdyne, Jack received an MBA from Pepperdine University. After his retirement in 1992, Jack and Sharon traveled extensively together throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. They were married for 52 years. Sharon predeceased Jack on June 30, 2008.After Sharon's passing, Jack remained in Woodland Hills and continued to enjoy travelling and visiting his brother Joe and family in Denver. He was an enthusiastic member of The Jaguar Clubs of the San Fernando Valley, California. Jack is survived by his brother Joseph B. Blake; his niece Anne B. Patterson (Robert); his nephew Joseph B. Blake Jr. (Michele) and four grand nephews. A private family service and interment in Denver will take place later. Donations may be made in honor of Joe to the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Denver.