Richard Blake passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, after a brief illness. Richard was born on October 27, 1954, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was predeceased by his father, Henry Grady Blake, and his mother, Christine Annette Blake (Sanders). Richard is survived by his wife, Sherry Howard Blake, many in-laws, friends, and their cat Gronk.
Richard was a proud graduate of the University of Alabama and a devoted fan of ‘Bama football. While an undergrad, Richard was part of the concert marketing and promotions team, including for the Grateful Dead concert, which spawned his lifelong following of the band.
Upon graduating, Richard began his professional career in Atlanta, Georgia, as a Marketing and Distribution Specialist for TV Guide. From there, Richard became the Director of IT Services for Globe Publishing Company in Palm Beach, Florida. It was here he met Sherry, and so began a life of racing, travel, and many cats.
A passionate foodie, especially all things barbecue, Richard embarked on many road trips with Sherry. From food trucks in tiny Florida towns to an anchovy festival in Italy to discovering the “most comfortable bar stools in the world” in Savannah, Georgia, Richard was always on the lookout for the next exciting food experience.
Richard was a man of many passions, including auto racing. An accomplished driver in both IMSA and SCCA, Richard and Sherry often found themselves at Sebring and other racing venues throughout Florida, cultivating an intimate group of lifelong friends and colleagues.
After his racing days, Richard eased into semi-retirement in Sebastian, FL. Richard’s most memorable food sojourn was when he started his own hot dog cart. His converted silver Airstream trailer became a fixture for hot dog aficionados all around Sebastian. An animal lover, Richard found himself adopted by 6 cats over the years. An enduring image of Richard would be him in a recliner with a cat on the arm of the chair and a race or Alabama football game on TV.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Richard can be made to H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue Center
https://halorescuefl.org/ or For The Love of Paws https://www.pawspetsanctuary.com/
