MARION — Dr. James Arthur Blake Sr., educator, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. James, the fourth child of Frank Blake Sr. and Willie Mae Montgomery Blake (both deceased) was born in Marion on Aug. 2, 1930. At an early age, he embraced the teachings of Christ and became a member of Saint John AME Church in Marion. James was educated in the public school system of Marion County and graduated valedictorian from Marion County Training School (later Johnakin High School) in 1947. He attended undergraduate school at Allen University in Columbia, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics. He served in the United States Air Force for a period of four years, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He was an Air Force instructor and received recognition as Instructor of the Month and Airman of the Quarter. While stationed in California, Blake took advantage of some course work from San Jose State College. Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1955, Blake began his public school teaching career at Finklea High School in Loris as a teacher of chemistry and mathematics. After two years in that position, he came to Marion and taught college preparatory mathematics and served as chairman of the mathematics department at Johnakin High School. One year prior to the schools becoming a unitary school system in Marion District 1, Blake taught college preparatory mathematics at Marion High School and remained in that position until 1974, when the new Marion High School was completed. He became associate principal at the new high school and remained in that position until 1979, when he was named assistant superintendent/mathematics supervisor, until his retirement in 1988. Blake began work on his graduate degree at North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C., and received his Master of Science degree from South Carolina State College (South Carolina State University) in 1961. He had done additional study at George Peabody College in Nashville, Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of South Carolina in Columbia. In 1970, Blake was appointed to the South Carolina State Board of Education, being the first black appointed to that position in South Carolina. He served on the board for six years, becoming the first black chairman of the board in 1974. In his position of chairman of the board, Blakes signature appeared on the South Carolina State high school diploma of every high school student graduating from the public school system in 1974, and on the South Carolina teacher certificate of every teacher certified in South Carolina in 1974. The former Rita Bridgewater of Berkeley, Calif., who became his life partner and soul mate emerged as the center of his attention 51 years ago. He took unto himself his wife and friend, with whom he shared the joys of a loving family and home. They are the proud parents of five children, Karen, James Jr., Albert, William and Kevin. His parents and a brother, Frank Blake, preceded him in death. James leaves to mourn his precious memories his devoted wife, Rita Elizabeth Bridgewater; five loving children, Karen, James Jr. (Gail) of Rock Hill, Albert, William (Diane) of Mullins and Kevin. The apple of Dr. Blakes eyes are is grandchildren, James A. Blake III, Preston Tyler Blake and Shakyra Wortham; two sisters, Mrs. Eliza Blake Nelson and Mrs. Louis Blake Conner; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mary Blake of New Jersey, Doris Thompson and Ms. Barbara Bridgewater, both of Berkeley, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Mr. Albert Bridgewater of Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services for Dr. James Arthur Blake Sr. will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9, from the Johnakin Middle School, 500 Gurley St., Marion. Burial will follow in the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, U.S. 76, Marion, directed by Davis Funeral Service of Marion. Wake services will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the St. John AME Church, Mill Street, Marion.