Thomas Blake Jr

Thomas Blake, Jr.
July 16, 1955 – February 15, 2026

Thomas Blake, Jr., affectionately known as Blake, Pete, Tom, and Bear, age 70, of Richmond, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Born on July 16, 1955, at Kenner Hospital at Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee), Virginia, Thomas was the eldest son of Deaconess Beulah (Green) Blake and the late Rev. Dr. Thomas Blake, Sr. Raised in South Richmond, he was educated in Richmond Public Schools, attending Blackwell Elementary, Thompson Middle School, and graduating from Huguenot High School in 1972. While at Huguenot, Blake participated in varsity sports and ROTC. He continued his education at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, where he majored in psychology and proudly became a member of the Mighty Trojans alumni family.

As a child, Thomas was baptized at Gravel Hill Baptist Church, where he remained an active and faithful member throughout his life.

Thomas dedicated more than 30 years of service to DuPont, where he worked as a machinist and manufacturer engineer, also serving as an EMT and OSHA Safety Inspector during his tenure. He retired following Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Never one to sit still, Thomas later became a resilient entrepreneur and general contractor, repairing homes and helping others bring their visions to life.

In 1977, Thomas met Beatrice Allen while they both worked at Thalhimers. They married in 1985 and lovingly raised a beautiful blended family: Deven Giles, the late Sean Giles, and Aaron Blake Tran. Their devoted union lasted until Beatrice’s passing in 2014.

In 2015, Thomas met his second love, Katrina Barlow Blake, and they were married in 2017. Together they shared a joyful life filled with fishing, traveling throughout Virginia, attending live concerts, shopping trips to his favorite store Lowe’s, and spending cherished time with family and friends.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Dr. Thomas Blake, Sr.; his beloved first wife, Beatrice Blake; his son, Sean Giles; and sisters-in-law Alvenia Barlow and Angela Izzard.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Katrina Blake; his loving mother, Deaconess Beulah Blake; his sister, Bridget Blake; his children, Aaron Nicole (Huy) and Deven; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and three godchildren; sisters-in-law Michelle Barlow, Ingrid Hill, and Cynthia Crockett; brother-in-law Spencer Barlow, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, neighbors, and lifelong friends.

He now sits at the throne of God, reunited with loved ones and his trusted dog, Maxwell, waiting with open arms for friends and family to join him in Paradise.