Blakley’s Life One of Service
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Blakley’s Life One of Service
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
The life of Arvis Blakley left an impact on many. Blakley, who passed away on April 11, 2026, at the age of 96, lived a life that was
defined by service, humility, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to uplift ordinary people. Born December 30, 1929, in Somerset, Kentucky, he carried the values of hard work and community with him throughout a remarkable life.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, Blakley served as a forward air controller before returning home with a renewed sense of purpose. He pursued higher education at Tennessee Technological University, not for personal advancement alone, but as a means to better the lives of others, a mantra that defined his many years. Like many of the era, Blakley began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse – on Cherry Fork – embodying an idea that meaningful change could led to big ones, and that it began in the smallest of places.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Blakley served the Scott County School System and the Oneida Special School District as a teacher, principal, and leader. For more than 30 years, he guided the Tennessee Technology Center – now the Tennessee College of Applied Technology – expanding its reach and strengthening its mission. As noted by TCAT, “his lengthy tenure…had an indelible impact on the college and its mission of helping to build our community’s workforce.” The Huntsville campus, bearing his name, stands as a lasting testament to that vision.
Noted by many, above all things, Arvis Blakley was a man of the people – a devoted friend, who showed equal dedication to his family and community. His legacy will live in the countless lives he touched and helped shape.
