Katus R. Blakey 1924-1975

Obsequies For Dr. Katus Reginald Blakey, Visiting Associate Professor And Former Chairman, Department Of Community Dentistry, College Of Dentistry, Howard University, Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Howard University, Washington, D.C. Thursday, August 28, 1975 11:00 A.M. Dean Evans E. Crawford, Officiating.

Dr. Katus R. Blakey, former chairman of the Department of Community Dentistry, died on August 20 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Born in Louisa, Virginia on November 10, 1924, Blakey received his B.S. degree from Virginia State College. He received both his M.S. and D.D.S. degrees from Howard University and did postgraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, Catholic University and the Institute for Graduate Dentists.

His professional life centered around the academic community. He was chairman of the Department of Biology at Bishop College in Texas; assistant professor of Biology, registrar and director of Public Relations at Delaware State College.

In 1957 he went into private practice in Northeast Washington and also accepted a part-time faculty position at Howard's College of Dentistry. From 1969 to 1971, he served as chairman of Community Dentistry. During this period, Blakey, with the approval of the University Administration and the assistance of the faculty, students and staff, initiated a total health care program for indigent residents of Quitman County, Miss.

In 1971, Blakey went to Jamaica on leave of absence from the University to serve as the Dental Officer for the Jamaican Government.

A member of many professional organizations, including the American and National Dental Associations, Blakey is listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest U.S.A. He is on several boards, including the Board of Directors of O.I.C. A recipient of numerous awards, including the International Who's Who Award for Community Service, Blakey was honored by Howard University as a distinguished alumnus for civic and community contributions 1969-70.

Blakey has published several articles on tooth implants, replants and transplants; he also delivered many papers and conducted many clinics on those subjects throughout the United States and the West Indies.

His University-wide participation included membership on the President's Task Force for Urban Affairs, the Vice President's Committee on Community Health and the University Senate Workshop, and he was Director, Academic Reinforcement Program.

Blakey served in the Armed Forces during World War II. He was staff director of Teacher Training with the 14th Naval District.

Blakey leaves his wife, Thelma and four sons, Reginald, Michael, Jeffery and Kevin; one brother, Gilbert, of Virginia; many relatives and friends.

Interment: Graveside rites will be held at 4:00 P.M. today at the Blakey Estate, Barboursville, Virginia. Active Pallbearers: Members of the Class of 1957 — College of Dentistry. Honorary Pallbearers: Members of Investors Fifteen. Ushers: Members of the Supporting Staff — College of Dentistry

2. Newspaper obituary: Dr. Katus R. Blakey, former registrar and professor of Biology at Delaware State college, died Wed., Aug. 20, 1975, in the University of Jamaica Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica. His age was not given.

After leaving Delaware State College in 1953, Dr. Blakey entered Catholic University to pursue study leading to the doctorate degree in biology. With a keen desire to aid humanity, he then transferred to the School of Dentistry at Howard University, where he earned the DDS degree in 1957 in oral surgery.

He was employed by the School of Dentistry at Howard University for a number of years, and at the same time conducted private practice and research in oral surgery. For the past four years, Dr. Blakey had been a resident of Port Antonio, Jamaica, where he continued his private practice and worked in the Community Health Program for the government of Jamaica.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m., in the Howard University Chapel, Washington, D.C. Dr. Blakey is survived by his wife, the former Thelma Mosley of Frederica. They have three sons, Michael Louis, 22; Jeffrey Norman, 21; and Kevin Charles, 18.