By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
June 11, 2014
The Christian Action League extends condolences this week to the family of former state Sen. Harris Blake who died Monday at his home in Pinehurst. He was 84.
“Sen. Blake was always a good friend of the Christian Action League,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, the league’s executive director. “He shared our Christian values. He was a man of reason and even temperament. He served during the days of a Democratic majority in the NC Senate and House and he drew respect from both sides of the aisle.”
A commercial real estate developer with a long record of community service, Blake served five terms in the Senate, deciding not to seek re-election in 2012. He served as deputy president pro tem during his last term, a position for which he was chosen unanimously.
Fellow Republican and Sen. President Pro Tem Phil Berger called Blake “a self-made man who spent his life helping others and giving back to his community, state and country.”
“He was an unfailing advocate for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and — most importantly — for his constituents,” Berger added.
A Pinehurst native and graduate of Elon University, Blake served in the Army during the Korean War.
In addition to representing the people of Harnett, Lee and Moore counties in the Senate, he had been a member of the boards of Moore County Schools and Sandhills Community College and was the Republican nominee for Secretary of State in 2000.
Blake was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine in 2013 by Gov. Pat McCrory, who called him a “consummate gentleman.”
Blake’s funeral was set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church.