RONALD LEE BLAKE, 78, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington after a brief but courageous battle with illness.

Ronald was born April 13, 1947, the son of the late Russell and Ruby Blake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Blake; grandson, Derek Alan Jeffers; and sister Diana "Katie" Hodges.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janice Rowsey Blake of Huntington; two sons, Christopher Blake (Jaime) and Timothy Blake, both of Huntington; a daughter, Deborah Kay Metzger (Donnie) of Huntington; and a special "bonus daughter", Cassandra Berry of Millersport, OH; eight grandchildren, Megan Cullum (Peach), Amanda Blake, Morgan Blake, Hannah Blake, Landon Blake, Robert Blake, Alexis Taylor (Hunter), and Lillyan Nechovski; five great grandchildren, Derek Jeffers, Jr., Haley Beverly (Hunter), Roman Williams, Jaidyn Hill, and Matthias Taylor; three very special brothers, Danny Blake (Jody), Dobie Blake, and Michael Blake; and a brother-in-law Tom Rowsey (Carla); as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Ronald was a retired elevator mechanic of over 40 years with Dover Elevators and later Thyssen Krupp Elevators, and a proud member of IUEC Local 48. He was an avid volunteer for youth sports, helping coach his sons in minor league and Little League Baseball, as well as youth football.

Ronald donated his body to the Marshall School of Medicine for the advancement of science and education. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Church In The Valley, Milton, W.Va., from 2-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in his memory.  Johnson Tiller Funeral Home is assisting the family.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/