Blake was born on Sept 7, 1986 in Stillwater, OK to Craig and Phyllis (Long) Carter. He grew up and attended schools in Stillwater, where he excelled at track and was awarded all-district honors as he served as SHS football team captain his sr. year. He was also an active member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church as well as the Stillwater High School Spanish Club. Blake graduated from Stillwater High School in 2005 and spent a year at the US Navy Academy Prep School before enrolling at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Blake was the starting cornerback for the Navy Midshipmen football team his junior and senior year. During his four years with the program, the Midshipmen won the coveted Commander-in-Chief trophy and each year Blake was honored with a trip to the White House. During his senior year, Blake had the opportunity to shake hands and interact with President Obama, truly the highlight of his naval career. Following his graduation from the USNA Blake attained the rank of LTJG. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA aboard the USS Mesa Verde where he served as a Division Officer. Most recently, Blake served aboard the USS Wasp as the Assistant Damage Control Officer. Blake was a proud member of the US Navy and made many wonderful friends and brothers while honorably serving his country. Blake was a fun loving and active guy who loved to try new things. He had recently taken up Karate, Yoga, ballroom dancing, salsa dancing, and modeling. He had a passion for traveling and he traveled to many different countries and locations, but he had a profound love for San Diego, CA. Blake was a devoted Christian who acted on his faith by loving others and selflessly giving of his time and resources to better the lives of those around him. Blake was well known for his constant smile and his engaging sense of humor. His kind heart made him easily likeable and he never met a stranger. Blake was a family man who always made time with his family a top priority. He had a special bond with his older brother Brian, whom he always looked up to, and most of their conversations included random movie quotes, especially Blake’s favorite, Will Smith movies. He was a patient son who was never too busy to give his dad technical instructions and he was even able to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of teaching his mother how to send text messages. He was a wonderful child who always made his parents proud. Blake Carter was a loving son, a caring bother, a proud uncle, a beloved nephew, a dedicated Christian, a gifted athlete, a true teammate, and an honest and trustworthy friend and his legacy of love and compassion will live on through the lives of those he leaves behind. He will truly be missed by all those lucky enough to have been a part of his amazing journey. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents: William “Bill” Long, Iva Long, Calvin Carter, and Helen Moore.