Joe passed away on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at the age of 95, with Rose, his wife of 72 years and their three children, by his side. His spirit that night cheered on the Washington State University Cougar basketball team to victory over fourth-ranked Arizona, followed by fireworks in the town and the horns of emergency vehicles, or perhaps it was all due to Joe’s passing — you decide.
Joe was the youngest of six children and grew up on a poultry farm in Monroe, Wash. There he began his passion for dairy cows, raising and milking six Guernseys. His love of all sports started at Sultan High School where he played football and set the half-mile cross county track record for Snohomish County. Joe was elected vice president of the Washington State Future Farmers of America and won the first State Farmer award.
Upon enrolling at Washington State College (WSU), he joined the AGR Fraternity and worked early mornings milking cows. Joe was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War where he served at Camp Lejeune, N.C., as a tank mechanic and instructor.
He married Rose Novak on Dec. 5, 1951. From that day, when you thought of one you thought of the other. They were “Joe and Rose.” After completing his service, he and Rose settled back in Washington where he drove logging trucks in Sultan, then returned to Pullman to finish his bachelor’s degree in animal science, emphasis on dairy management. After graduating, Joe stayed at WSC and worked for, and later became manager of, the J.C. Knott Dairy Center where he spent his entire 37-year career, until 1991. Prior to retiring, they spent two and a half years building their dream home on six acres south of Pullman, by themselves, where they resided for almost 40 years until November of last year.
Joe was very involved in the dairy industry serving on many committees, as a member of numerous organizations and a term as president of the Bi-State DHIA. He was elected to the Washington Purebred Dairy Cattle Association’s Hall of Fame and the Henry Dykstra Outstanding WSU Dairy Alumni Award. His biggest pleasure was coaching the WSU Dairy teams in national university judging competitions from 1962 until his final retirement. Joe also judged dairy animals at numerous Washington state county fairs and the Western Washington State Fair. He was a strong supporter of youth and was instrumental in developing the Cooperative University Dairy Students (CUDS) program at WSU. Along with former herdsman John Millard at the J.C. Knott Dairy Center, their breeding program developed two national champion Holsteins.
After retirement, he served on the Whitman County Board of Adjustments. For most of his career, Joe had only two weekends off in a month, but he and Rose enjoyed their three dinner/dance groups, along with WSU sports and entertaining frequent out-of-town guests. Any excuse for a party was frequently held at their house, including Super Bowl, WSU football games and Joe and Rose’s annual corn feed. Their door was always open and it was not uncommon to set a couple extra plates for dinner. Joe raised a huge garden and orchard, sharing its bounty with everyone.
Somehow time was made for national and international travel. Joe and Rose were WSU football season ticket holders for almost 60 years, attending many bowl games. The refrain “Go Cougs” was frequently heard. Joe kept horses and mules for many years and was an avid hunter who explored the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness from the early 1960s until the late 2000s.
Joe was a “Jack of all trades” and could build or repair almost anything as he always had projects lined up after a day’s work at the dairy including renovating two university homes they lived in during his university career. Rose and Joe first managed an apartment building and then acquired two, providing all the maintenance for many decades. His work ethic and desire to do the best job possible no matter the task left its imprint on his employees, students, family and friends. Even after facing physical challenges, he could be found in the shop, garden or yard still trying to get the “job” done.
Joe is survived by his wife Rose; daughters Joy (Scott), Cheryl (Andy); son Scott (Julie); and grandchildren Araceli Rose and Dominic Joseph. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Roy McCarver for his care, friendship and compassion as he assisted Joe over the last 10 years and Jessie Penman for her invaluable in-home care.
A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Ensminger Pavilion on the WSU campus, 455 Lincoln Drive, Pullman. Online remembrances may be sent to: neptunesociety.com/obituaries/spokane-wa/joseph-blake-11690709.
