Jerald Blatt

Jerald Wallace (Wally) Blatt, 83, passed away on Monday July 4, 2011 following a lengthy battle with emphysema. Wally was born on December 14, 1927 to George Max Blatt and Philena May McManis Blatt in Casper, Wyoming.
Wally attended Casper schools and graduated in 1946 from Natrona Co. High School. While attending high school he played on the basketball team, sang in the Boy's Glee Club, and was active in Senior Orchestra/Band playing the cello and base horn respectively. During summers he worked at Walker Lumber Co., Irk Saddlery, and caddied at the Casper Municipal Golf Course.
Upon graduation Wally worked for Wyoming Automotive as an officer clerk but also spent summers at his Uncle Carl's Ranch in Crook County Wyoming working as a ranch hand. He also worked as a ranch hand for Driskill Cattle Co. at Campstool Ranch located at the base of beautiful Devils Tower.
In 1948 Wally was employed as a pipeliner/gauger for Secony Vacuum in Worland, WY but the Korean Conflict interrupted his employment in 1950 as he was drafted into the Army. He trained at Camp Cook, CA and was assigned to the 625th Field Artillery, 40th Infantry Division. In 1951 he served overseas in Korea and was promoted Sergeant 1st class. Returning stateside he was honorably discharged in 1952.
After leaving the Army, Wally returned to his work with Secony Vaccum and on June 21st, 1953 married the love of his life, Alice Elaine (AE) Fraser. They moved to Nebraska with his job and two years later returned to Casper where he went to work for Mobil Oil in their payroll department. He continued to work for Mobil Oil until 1964 when 1st National Bank of Casper employed him. He worked for the bank for the next 24 years, attaining the position of Vice President of Consumer Loans and retired in 1988.
Wally was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and served as elder/trustee for two terms. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and stamp collecting in his spare time and actually learned how to bowl left handed after a stroke that left his right arm disabled in 1977. He was also an active member of Casper Lodge #15 AF & AM, Casper Shrine Club, Consistory, Past President of Korean Oriental Band, Royal Order of the Jesters, and Past Patron of Fort Casper Chapter #4 of the Eastern Star.
He also served as the Charter President of Casper Optimist Club that formed in 1969. He's a two time past Lt. Governor of Zone 1 Optimist Club and along with a very good friend purchased the local Putt-Putt Miniature golf course to act as a revenue generator for the club. The hours he spent working there earned him the nickname "Mr. Putt-Putt". Since retirement, Wally enjoyed travelling with his wife AE visiting Hawaii, Scotland, Mexico, Washington D.C, New England and the Caribbean. He also loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids and considered them his proudest achievement.
His parents and his two older brothers Charles Herbert and George Max Blatt precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, and there three children, Neysa M. Erickson of Casper WY; Jerald D. Blatt (Kathryn) of Holmen, WI; and Charles M. Blatt (Sharon) of Chandler, AZ; five grand children, Renate J. Pullen (Zak) and Philip A. Erickson boy of Casper, Nikolas D E Blatt of Holmen, WI; Michael R. Shore (Lisa) of Chandler, AZ and Kari D. Hall of Flagstaff, AZ; four great grand children; one sister Mary B. Marley (Ray) of Farmington, NM; several nieces and one nephew.
Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home at 11:00 AM on Saturday July 9th, 2011. Masonic Services by Casper Lodge #15. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Casper Shrine Club Travel Fund, Central Wyoming Hospice or to the donor's choice.