Jimmy Blakley

Our classmate and friend, Jimmy LeeBlakley passed away on April 11th, 2016, near Post, Texas. Here is his obit:
Jimmy Lee Blakley was born August 14, 1944, in Oklahoma City, OK, to musical parents, Jimmy and Dorothy Blakley.
He graduated from Roswell High School, in 1962, where he was active in the RHS band as clarinetist, and violinist for the Roswell Symphony orchestra.
He began a professional career as a drummer and singer with his parent's band upon graduation.
An accomplished artist, he was commissioned in 1968 by the pilots of a Boeing 747 test plane at Walker Air Force Base, to paint a 12 foot roadrunner on the side of their plane.
In 1972, after completing a band road tour, that included playing at The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, he moved to Lubbock to rejoin the family band at the The Palm Room.
In the years following, he formed various bands in the Lubbock area, Music Painters, The Salt River Band, The Blakleys, (with siblings Ron and Debbie)', The Warhorse Band, I & II, and was a member of The Bentwood Rockers. In 1975, Jimmy shifted from being a drummer, to playing fiddle for the rest of his career.
He was a talented songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and owned the Warhorse Recording Studio.
He was affiliated with KLBK in the production of 'West Texas' in 1989, the Creative Services Director for both KLBK and KMAC in the 1990's, and recipient of several prestigious Addy awards.
A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend to many, Jimmy died peacefully April 11, after a lengthy illness.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila; sons, Gene Blakley, Silverton, TX; Caul Blakley, Lubbock, TX; and Casey McNeely, Post, TX; daughters, Kimberly Simonson, Saint Matthews, SC; Katheryn Bailey, Cameron, SC; Kelly Flatt, Jacksonville, FL, and Courtney Howard, Post, TX; fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sister, Debbie Eaton, Albuquerque; brothers, Ron Blakley, Nashville, and Phade Vader, Lubbock.

Jimmy, I will miss you. We had lots of fun together. Thanks for touching my life.