SOUTH PARIS — Leon O. Blake Jr., 82, of Oxford, passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris.

He was born in Franklin, N.H., on Jan. 31, 1930, son of Leon O. Blake Sr. and Selina LaPage Blake.

In Oct. 1951, he joined the Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendelton in California during the Korean War. He was in the tank division and drove tanks. Leon was also a sharp shooter and a sniper trainer for the men stationed in Buke Fall, Ore. He achieved the rank of private first class.

After leaving the Marines, he returned home to help his father in the logging business. Leon is the fourth generation of loggers in his family and eventually had his own logging business for many years, Blake & Son Logging. His son, James, carries on the family tradition today. Leon had numerous jobs throughout the years, including as a mechanic for Pioneer Plastics, but the love of the outdoors led him back to the life he loved and he was a woodsman up until he retired.

In 1954, Leon married his first wife and had three children. He was stricken by the loss of his wife and had to raise his children by himself, with some help from his mom, until he remarried. In 1966, Leon married Flora and together they raised his three children, in addition to one more child from their marriage. They enjoyed spending time together as a family and have a lot of memories. He was named Veteran of the Month at the Maine Veterans Home. Leon loved the outdoors and liked hunting, fishing, camping, family visits and remembering the good times.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Flora; children, Connie Johnson of Turner, Beverly Blake of Oxford and James Blake of Norway; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his son, Jeffrey Blake; brothers, Leonard and Carl; sisters, Dolly and Barbara.

The family would like to thank the South Paris Maine Veterans Home for their kindness and care that was shown during Leon’s time spent there.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.