Blaine K. Trate

Blaine K. Trate, 86, died November 30, 2011, in his Temple, PA, home. He was born January 26, 1925, in Packerton, PA, and raised in Lehighton by his beloved aunt, Elva Freihofer, He moved to the Reading area as a teenager and graduated from Muhlenberg Township High School in 1943.

In July 1943, Blaine volunteered for the Army Airborne and went to jump school at Fort Benning with the newly formed 17th Airborne Division. During the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 and early 1945, he fought German armor in the snowy forests of Belgium. In March 1945, he jumped through flak and automatic gunfire into northwest Germany as part of Operation Varsity, the largest combat drop in military history. After WW II, he joined the Army Reserve and was activated during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Polk, LA, where he taught new GIs how to use the 81mm mortar.

Blaine lived in the Reading area all his adult life and married Marian Williams in 1950. He worked 33 years as a welder with Dana Corporation, retiring in 1980.

Blaine was a member of VFW Post #411, East Ends Athletic Club, Goodwill Fire Company, Laureldale Fire Company, Temple Democratic Club (the "Demmies"), and Temple Fire Company. He was an avid goose hunter and loved hiking, fishing, the Philadelphia Eagles, and socializing, especially in his own backyard. There were no strangers in his life, just friends he hadn't met yet.

Blaine is survived by his son Pat and daughter-in-law Patti of Burke, VA; son Jefferie and daughter-in-law Jeanette of Bernville; grandchildren Thomas, Patrick, Rhiannon, and Gabrielle Trate; step-grandchildren Richard and Robert Ray; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to gather Monday at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Laureldale Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at noon, with a grave-side service immediately after. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VFW Post 411, PO Box 181, Birdsbiro, PA 19508 Attn: Ron Miller.

Walter Christ Funeral Home, Laureldale, is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com.