Henderson deaths

Home News Staff

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

Courtesy photo

Thomas and Paulette Blake

Courtesy photo

William Meacham

Thomas and Paulette Blake

Thomas Kerry Blake and Paulette Jeanine Radley Blake died Oct. 1 in Anchorage, Alaska, in a small aircraft crash when the plane lost power after takeoff.

Kerry Blake was born Aug. 28, 1953, in St. George, Utah, to Tom and Dora Blake. Paulette was born Aug. 15, 1944 in Phillips, S.D., to Louis and Meta Radley.

Kerry Blake was raised in Boulder City and graduated from Boulder City High School in 1971. Paulette moved to Henderson as a teenager and graduated from Basic High School in 1961.

The couple were married April 24, 1979, in Henderson, where they lived and raised four daughters. They worked together for the Clark County Animal Control Department, then worked in the construction field in the Las Vegas area.

In the early 1980s, they began spending the summers in Alaska mining gold near Nome. Later, they ran a private chartered fishing and hospitality service in Soldotna and for the past three years ran their own chartered fishing and bed and breakfast business in Homer.

Pahrump has been their winter home for the past six years.

Together they lived the life that most people dream of. They were respected and loved by everyone who met and knew them, according to family members.

They are survived by Paulette's four daughters, Tracy Taft and her husband, Dave, of Cascade, Mont., Sandy Little of Pahrump, Holly Couchigan and her husband, Charles, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Roni Knowlton and her husband, Damon, of Henderson; grandchildren Billy, Tory, Cory, Joshua, Kalyn, Taylor, Christopher, Molly, Sola and Oakley, and great-grandchildren.

Paulette is also survived by her mother, Meta Radley Dabney; siblings Marvin Radley and his wife, Jody, of Estill Springs, Tenn., Steve Radley and his wife, Charlene, of Henderson, Roberta "Bertie" Radley and her partner, Marian, of Henderson, and Robert Radley of Pahrump; six nephews and three nieces.

Kerry is also survived by his parents, Tom and Dora Blake of LaVerkin, Utah; siblings Keena Jorgenson and her husband, Jeff, of Hurricane, Utah, Jeff Blake and his wife, Dorcie, of Mesa, Ariz., Dani Bettridge and her husband, Keith, of Anchorage, Alaska, Layna Larsen and her husband, Ken, of Boulder City, Royal Blake and his wife, Susan, of Phoenix, Ore., Wade Blake and his wife, Amber, of North Las Vegas, Ben Blake and his wife, Marcia, of North Las Vegas and foster sister Korynn Moore of Hurricane, Utah, as well as 19 nephews and 18 nieces. He was preceded in death by son Thomas Christopher.

Their funeral will be held Oct. 10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, on 801 Arrowhead Trail, Henderson, with visitation beginning at 12 p.m. and services starting at 1 p.m.

Interment will be held at Palm Memorial Park, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, immediately following the service.

Palm Mortuary handled the arrangements.

Frank Macina

Frank A. Macina, 74, of Henderson, died Sept. 30.

The 13-year resident was born Aug. 7, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a retired construction general contractor.

Macina is survived by his wife, Diane Macina of Henderson; daughters Evelyn Albright of Orlando, Fla. and Catherine Macina of Jacksonville, Fla.; sons Michael Macina and Daniel Bracewell, both of Orlando; sister, Elena Pilger of Davey, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at Palm Mortuary-Henderson, 800 S. Boulder Highway.

The family requests that donations be made to Odyssey Hospice, 4011A McLeod Drive, 693-4904.

Arrangements were handled by Palm Mortuary-Henderson.

William Meacham

William "Bill" H. Meacham, 81, of Henderson, died Sept. 15.

The 45-year resident was born April 4, 1927, in Sacramento. He was a retired aviation storekeeper, a member of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II.

Meacham is survived by his daughters Tia Night Eagle of Maui, Hawaii, and Kimberly Primavera of Provo, Utah; son, Evan Meacham of Kennewick, Wash.; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held Sept. 26 at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Palm Mortuary-Henderson.

Raymond Smith

Raymond L. Smith, 66, of Henderson, died Oct. 4.

The 35-year resident was born Oct. 17, 1941, in Whittier, Calif. He was a member of the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He retired as a staff sergeant.

Smith is survived by his wife, Darla Jean Smith of Henderson; sons Lucas Perryman of Mexico, Benjamin Smith of Seattle, Jerry Smith of Sacramento and Rowdy Smith of Henderson; daughter, Leisha Marler of Twin Falls, Idaho; brother, John Smith of Diamond Bar, Calif.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 10 at Palm Mortuary-Henderson, 800 S. Boulder Highway. A graveside service will follow at 1:20 p.m. at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Palm Mortuary-Henderson.