Christopher “Chris” Todd Blake, age 42, passed away on April 27, 2026. Born May 7, 1983, in Saginaw, Michigan, Chris spent much of his life rooted in the Vassar area, carrying forward a steady devotion to home, family, and the work that shaped him. He was a resident of Holland, Michigan at the time of his passing.
Chris was born to Kathy Laski (Bob Laski) and the late Darwin D Blake, their only child. He attended Vassar High School, graduating in 2002. After Highschool graduation he went on to Northern Michigan University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 2007—an achievement reflecting the determination and follow-through that marked so many parts of his life. Even later on in life Chris was able to obtain an associate’s degree in agriculture in 2021 from Michigan State University.
From an early age, Chris understood the value of effort and responsibility. As a child, he learned the satisfaction of hard work while helping his grandmother and grandfather on their farm—time that brought him genuine joy and helped form the dependable, grounded spirit he carried into adulthood. That same joy for farm life remained with him, often leading him into roles within the agricultural industry, where persistence and practicality are not just appreciated, but required.
Chris found happiness in both the outdoors and the everyday comforts of the things he loved. He enjoyed fishing with his dad, and he cherished time spent with family—never losing sight of the people who mattered most. He was also a devoted fan of Star Trek, NASCAR (especially Dale Earnhardt), and farming simulation games, interests that reflected both his imagination and his appreciation for the rhythms of rural life.
When he wasn’t outdoors, Chris could often be found behind the wheel. During his early career, he became a semi-truck driver—something he had talked about wanting to do since he was young—and he went on to spend time on the road. Driving became so natural to him that it was woven into his daily outlook, and he was known to joke about how poorly some people drove, offering his observations with the dry humor of someone who had truly seen many highways and bad drivers up close. He was employed by Keystone Cooperative in Hamilton MI as a driver/Operations at the time of his passing. One of Chris’ other passions was his favorite band, The Mavericks, and he attended their concerts quite a few times, something that brought him great joy.
Chris is survived by his mother, Kathy Laski (Bob Laski); uncles, Birt McKendree (Polly McKendree), Craig McKendree (Cindy McKendree), and Eric McKendree; and aunts, Karen McKendree (Tony Fields), Darlene McNeal (Jerry McNeal), and Kathy Dwyer. Chris is also survived by his many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Darwin D Blake; grandmothers, Norma Blake and Janet McKendree; and grandfathers, Darwin G Blake and Charles McKendree.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.
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