J. Warner Blake

J. Warner Blake, alias “Don Caliche”, passed away February 15, 2013 at the age of 92. Born March 30, 1920, to Jean and Charles Blake in Lewistown, Montana, Warner grew up in Oregon. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State College in 1940. Serving as an Army lieutenant during World War II, Warner trained at Fort Bliss, where he met his wife, Joann Christie. They would have been married 70 years in May. He was blessed with their daughters, Christie and Jean Marie, and son, Hal. Warner was Claims Manager for Commercial Union Insurance Company. After retiring he opened Don Caliche’s Garden Center. He contributed a gardening column to the Sunday Times newspaper copies of which were compiled into Don Caliche’s Gardening Book in 1972 for a YWCA ways and means project. His second edition was published in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Joann Blake, his daughters Christie Godec and Jean Marie Hamilton and son and daughter in law Hal Blake and Sue Litteken, and grandchildren, Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, (Scott ), Ynez Walske, and Ed Godec, and great grand children Nadia and Amelia Godec. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to El Paso Hospice or a charity of choice. Services will be held at 10:30 in the morning on Monday, February 25, at Sunset Funeral Homes West, 480 North Resler. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at sunsetfuneralhomes.net.