WILLIAM M. BLAIK April 25, 1927 - Sept. 21, 2008
Casady has lost a strong and ardent supporter of the School. Former Board of Trustees Chairman William M. Blaik passed away in September. He has been involved in the School for many years, and the administration building on the Upper Division campus bears the family name. Blaik Hall, houses the Headmaster, development and business offices. Mr. Blaik was born April 25, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio, and spent most of his younger years in the northeast. He attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire in 1945, served in the U.S. Army Occupation Forces in Germany in 1946 to 1948 and returned to the United States and attended Dartmouth College. He graduated with a BS in Geology and after graduation he began his career in the oil and gas industry working for Standard Oil. In 1956 Mr. Blaik formed Blaik Oil Co. and explored for oil and gas in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Eventually, after enjoying his time as an independent oil producer, he sold his company as well as cattle and real estate operations in Kansas and Colorado and began his retirement. He served as mayor of Nichols Hills and was involved with his wife Shirley in many community projects. Bill and Shirley spent many years traveling and enjoying the company of family and friends. His passions in his waning years were his ranch in Logan County and his guitar. He leaves behind his wife Shirley, son Will Blaik ’88 and wife Sherri, daughter Katie Blaik James ’90 and husband John and grandchildren Mattox and Allison Blaik, and Elizabeth James and step-grandchildren, Conner and Jackson James. His brother, Robert Blaik, lives in Scottsdale, AZ. Memorials may be made to the Blaik Family Fund at Casady.
DAVID IAN CHILDS Dec. 26, 1989 – June 12, 2008
When the Casady community loses one of its own, especially one so young, it is a heartbreaking moment in the School’s history. David Childs graduated Cum Laude from Casady on May 31, 2008, and passed away on June 12. He was an accomplished guitarist and violinist and served Casady as a member of student council, editor of The Crier and concertmaster of the Casady Orchestra. As a student ambassador for People to People he spent three summers in Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom. David logged more than 200 hours of community service during his Upper Division years. Fee Theater was a special venue for David during his years at Casady. David left the Norman school system and joined Casady in eighth grade, a year after his father, Jay Childs, became a member of the faculty here. David was immediately comfortable with the level of academics and found his place in the School’s musical community. Marilyn A. Laremore, his maternal grandmother, was a devoted fan who spent many years attending his performances. Ms. Laremore passed away soon after David on Sept. 7. Many of David’s classmates will attest not only to his charm, wit, humor, warmth and intelligence, but also to his incredible musical and poetic gifts. The Childs’ family has asked that memorials in David’s name and in his grandmother’s name be directed to Casady School to benefit handicapped access to Fee Theater. David leaves behind his parents Marnie and Jay Childs and brother Nathan Childs of Oklahoma City; and his grandmother Kay Childs Bissell, his step-grandfather William Bissell and his great-grandmother Lowrie Wurts Ebbert all of Pittsburgh, PA.
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