Blake Burns Allred

Blake Burns Allred passed on January 8^th, 2023, due to complications from pneumonia. Blake had recently celebrated his 90th birthday at a wonderful party with family and friends.  

Blake had three great loves: his family, church, and airplanes.

Born in Spring City, Utah, on November 4^th, 1932, to Ruel Burns Allred and Ruby Larsen Allred.

Blake attended BYU where he met the love of his life Mary Ellen Carr. They married in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 21^st, 1953. He got his Mathematics degree from BYU, Aeronautical Engineering degree from the University of Washington, and later a Master of Engineering Management at the University of Utah.  

He was fascinated with and loved airplanes as a child. His passion for aviation never subsided. He took that love of aviation joining the Air Force, becoming an Air Force pilot. 

He served in the US Air Force for 20 years, retiring as Major. While serving in the Air Force, Blake and Mary Ellen raised a young family, moving frequently while being based in Texas, Montana, Washington, Maryland, California, and Utah. Blake was also based in Greenland and Vietnam.  

He served in Vietnam as a C130 pilot. Later in his air force career, Blake worked as an engineer on the testing and development of the A10 and F111. After retiring from the Air Force, Blake and Mary Ellen settled in Bountiful, Utah, where he worked as an engineer at Sperry Unisys.

Blake had a passion for the outdoors. He spent several summers working at Zions National Park as a young man. He took his young family camping on the beaches of both coasts. He had a passion for skiing that he passed onto his children and grandchildren and enjoyed golfing with friends and family.  

Blake could fix anything and was always there to assist with countless projects helping his children paint, tile, build, and repair. Dad/grandpa was always a phone call away for advice or help.

In retirement, Blake and Mary Ellen enjoyed traveling, visiting family, and served an LDS mission to Houston, Texas. Blake enjoyed spending time flying and rebuilding his "little airplane", the blue and white Taylorcraft.  

In recent years, he was recognized as a veteran on the Honor Flight to Washington DC.  He was also able to travel with his sons, their wives and grandson to the Osh Kosh airshow several times.  

Blake was always welcoming a revolving cast of grandchildren and family members into his home for long or short stays. Blake was loved and admired by many for his kind and gentle nature.

Blake was an active member of the LDS church. He loved the gospel, serving faithfully in many callings, and enjoyed singing in the choir.   

Survived by his children, Mary Lynn (Mark) Case, Boyd (Annett), Rob (Cynthia), and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Blake was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Ellen Carr Allred, daughter Kathy Reeder, and infant son James Allred. 

Blake was a remarkable man. Ninety years wasn't long enough. We miss you already.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14^th, 2023, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday afternoon from 12:30-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.