Bob Blades

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

He was born April 16, 1930, in Flint, Mich., son of Ruben Markus and Emma Elvira Eaker Blades. He and Juanita Smith were married Oct. 31, 1952. She died Dec. 29, 1986. He and Patricia Ann Werner were married April 16, 1994, in Memphis, Tenn.

Blades had been a farmer, photographer, real estate broker and construction contractor. He also owned several government buildings.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Malden, Mo., Masonic Lodge in New Madrid, Mo., Shrine Club and Eagles Aerie in Cape Girardeau and a life member of Republican Inner Circle.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Larry Blades of San Antonio; a daughter, Trella Blades of Cape Girardeau; a stepdaughter, Mandy Miller of Pittsfield, Ill.; a brother, Alvin Blades of Oran, Mo.; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden, with the Rev. Greg Dowler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden with military rites to be conducted.