Donald Danny Blaze, 94, of Vero Beach, FL died Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Isles of Vero Beach.
Mr. Blaze was born August 16, 1915 in DeKalb, Illinois and moved to Vero Beach 30 years ago.
After graduating from high school he went to St. Viator College and tried out for some NFL teams, but was told he was too small. He served in the Navy for two years. He taught and coached in Garden Grove, Iowa (a town of 500 people) for one year, and then went to Somonauk, Illinois for one year. Then a former coach and friend asked him to come to Evanston High School to teach and coach. He was there for 32 years. He coached football, basketball, baseball and golf.
Recently a former student who Danny had coached for three years wrote a twelve page tome titled THE COACH - DAN BLAZE. Danny had coached him in football, basketball and baseball and he wrote about every incident that happened. He sent copies to many of his contemporaries, and Danny got many letters and phone calls. He was so thrilled.
After moving to Florida 30 years ago, he joined Dodger Pines Country Club where he was a member for 24 years. He was Club Champion several times. (4 Handicap) For awhile he played golf in Florida on the Senior Tour. He also rated courses in this area for the PGA.
He was a member of The Back Porch Gang which started at Dodger Pines on the back porch. He met with his old golf friends twice a week.
Survivors include his wife, Helen of Vero Beach; daughters Kathryn Freiburger of Columbus, Ohio, and Barbara Kelley of Littleton, Colorado; son Bill Blaze of Cohasset, Mass; and seven grandchildren.
Services: Services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of ones choice.