James Blades

James Blades

James Robert "Bob" Blades, 78, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born April 16, 1930, in Flint, Mich., son of the late Ruben Markus and Emma Elvira Eaker Blades, he was a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served during the Korean War, a member of the First United Methodist Church in Malden, Masonic Lodge in New Madrid, Mo., Cape Shrine Club in Cape Girardeau, American Legion and VFW, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Republican Inner Circle. He was a farmer, photographer, and a real estate broker and construction contractor.

On Oct. 31, 1952, he married Juanita Smith, who preceded him in death on Dec. 29, 1986. He married Patricia Ann Werner, April 16, 1994 in Memphis, Tenn, who survives.

Survivors also include one son, Larry Blades and wife, Nancy, of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Trella Blades, of Cape Girardeau; one step-daughter, Mandy Miller and husband, Chris, of Pittsfield, Ill.; one brother, Alvin Blades and wife, Penney, of Oran, Mo.; two grandchildren, John Blades, of San Antonio and Kristin Gilmore, of Albuquerque, N.M.; three great-grandchildren, Kaden and Ryleigh Blades, both of San Antonio and Logan Gilmore, of Albuquerque, and three step-grandchildren, Austin, Caty and Caylee Miller, all of Pittsfield.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., today, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home Chapel in Malden, Mo., with Rev. Greg Dowler officiating.

Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery at Malden.