Arthur Blake

Arthur Blake Jr. (1920 to 2017) was born in Atlanta in the house at 40 Hurt Street in Inman Park. He graduated from Decatur High School. At the outbreak of World War II, he Joined the Navy but shortly thereafter was given a medical discharge due to knee issues developed within days of his birth. The Army drafted him not long after his Navy discharge. At the end of World War II, he attended and graduated from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. He then served the Georgia Department of Human Resources as chief illustrator and retired in 1985. Arthur had many hobbies; he liked to build things: a ski boat, Martin bird houses, many landscape projects and could build or repair most anything house related.

In retirement in addition to his vegetable gardens and landscaping projects, he painted portraits and over a hundred seascapes and nature related subjects. However, his most focused hobby over all his years was centered around his love for man’s relationship with the sea. It seemed to be in his genes. At heart he was a Merchant Marine or a Coast Guardsman. He studied independently the historical development and use of navigation instruments as well as obtain numerous Coast Guard related certifications. Much of his time was spent on Lake Lanier as well as navigating some of the Intercoastal Waterway. He was fascinated by the construction and operation of the Panama Canal and its contribution. He had a keen interest in centuries old sailing ships and built intricate to scale models that could take a year or longer to complete.

His grandchildren called him “Big Daddy.” He will be missed by those who knew him. Arthur is survived by his son, Dr. Arthur Blake III of Decatur, Georgia and two grandchildren; Robert Adam Blake of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Angela Blake Clark of Greensboro, North Carolina.