Ira Dorsey Blakely, Jr.'s Obituary
Ira Dorsey Blakely, Jr. was born to the late Ira Dorsey Blakely, Sr. and Mamie Blakely on Saturday, March 5, 1938 in Praco, Alabama. His grandparents, the late John and Suella Blakely, reared him in the South until he was 12 years old. Thereafter, he migrated to the North to join his mother in Detroit, Michigan.
Throughout his life, Ira fellowshipped and had many church affiliations. He loved the Lord, was baptized, and followed the scriptures and biblical teachings of the bible. He was lead to join Fews Memorial C.M.E. Church and worshipped regularly until his health began to fail.
Ira attended elementary school in Alabama and finished his formal education graduating from the Detroit Public Schools system at age sixteen. In pursuit of a better life, Ira knew higher education was the only way to achieve this goal. He attended Highland Park Community College, and then matriculated to Wayne State University to study Dentistry. Ira had a brilliant mind, a photographic memory and excelled in all he choose to do.
Ira was a very industrious man. Even as a child, he loved the thought of making and saving money. He held a paper route as a young boy and from that moment on, Ira was always in search of where he would get his next honest dollar. Ira worked at the U.S. Post Office for twelve years. At DTE Energy, he trained and learned the skills to become a 1st Class Stationary Engineer. Continuing in his pursuit of excellence, Ira joined the work-force for the City of Detroit. He started with an entry-level position and eventually became the Superintendent of Maintenance, retiring in 1997. After retirement, Ira couldn’t sit still. He continued to work assisting the community with their heating and cooling issues and stayed dedicated until each task was completed.
Ira was the father of seven children, Ivy, Yvette, Dwayne, Allen, Michelle, Helen and Werner. In 2005, he married the love of his life, Gail Stone. He had a passion for the dance of Chicago Steppin. Dancing was his lifestyle. He was known for his smooth steps and the other dancers called him “slow motion.” Together, Ira and Gail would adorn the dance floor “steppin” their way all across the country with friends. Ira was an honorary member of the “Big Hat Gentleman’s” Steppin Organization and an honorary member of the “Seven Crowns” a gentleman’s Social Club founded in River Rouge, Michigan.
On the morning of Thursday, January 21st, Ira Dorsey Blakely, Jr. heard the voice of Jesus call him from labor to his heavenly reward. Ira departed this life at the Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan. He is now soaring with his mother and father and his brother William J. Blakely and the rest of his family who preceded him to Heaven.
Ira leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife; Gail, children; Ivy-Carmichael-Taylor (Arthur) Yvette Jackson (Leonard), Dwayne Blakely (Linda), Allen Blakely (Lavenia), Michelle Blakely, Helen Blakely, Werner Blakely and step-son; LaMonta Stone (Tomica), step-mother; Essie Dukes, mother-in-law; Hazel Moch, siblings; Dorothy Blakely-Stanton, Perry Hill (James), Eleanor Brogdon, Renee Truss, Curtis Blakely, Diana Norfleet, brothers and sisters-in-laws; Emma Brenson, Shirley Elledge, Vivian Parks, Mary Phillips (Thomas), Dennis Durham (Natalie), Don Durham (Ivy), Ernest Durham, Pamela Montague (Dwayne) and Eric Durham, twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, a special thank you to Jason White for his companionship that Ira looked forward to each Sunday.
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