Franklin D. Blakely Aug. 14, 1932 – Aug. 4, 2020

Franklin D. Blakely passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Tehachapi on Aug. 4 after a short illness (not COVID-19).

Blakely was born on a farm in Grayson County, Texas on Aug. 14, 1932. He and his 12 siblings were the children of Franzel Mayfield Blakely and Zula Ayers Knight. His parents were from Kentucky and moved to Texas around 1920.

He attended school in both Bolivar and Sanger, Texas and graduated from Sanger High School.

Blakely was proud to serve his country as a marine from Oct. 1952 to Sept. 1961.

He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Fairfax, on Oct. 2, 1955. They were married for 44 years until she passed away on Aug. 15, 1999. From their union came three children, Franklin D. Blakely, Jr., Mitzi Sue and Paul E.

Blakely worked as a hazmat truck operator and became the general manager of Crosby & Overton Transportation Company, Inc. in Long Beach, California. After retiring from that position, he and his wife moved to Tehachapi. He went back to work as a road superintendent for Mountain Meadows.

Blakely was preceded in death by his parents, Franzel Mayfield Blakely and Zula Ayers Knight Blakely; his wife, Elizabeth Ann Fairfax Blakely; and his brothers and sisters, Hazel Beatrice Blakely Seagraves (Bud), Royce Cordell Blakely, Hershell Ozell Blakely (Nell), Verdie Lois Blakely Reagan (Stan), Franzel Mayfield Blakely, Jr., Jack Nick Blakely, Bobby Gene Blakely (Carol), Georgia Nell Blakely Lang (Bobby), Betty Jo Blakely Sons (Cotton), and Charles Edward Blakely (Mary Ruth).

Blakely is survived by his children, Franklin D. Blakely, Jr. (Mirela), Mitzi Sue Knight (Charlie), and Paul E. Blakely (Rowena); his sisters, Elizabeth Ann Blakely Cutropia (Louis), Mary Jane Claytor (Ronny); five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and his dog, Dixie.

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, Blakely will be privately laid to rest at Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wood Family Funeral Service in Tehachapi, California. Condolences can be made online at http://www.woodmortuary.net.