JOSEPH GORDON BLAGG
November 14, 1954 – July 17, 2024
Joseph “Joey” Gordon Blagg, 69, of Bakersfield, California, passed away on July 17, 2024. Born on November 14, 1954 in Reedley, California to Carlis Austin “Bill” Cox and Mary Lois Smith, his birth father died when Joey was only six months old. His mother married Earl Eugene “Chuck” Blagg, who raised him and his younger siblings on a small family farm.
Two constants in Joey's life were a love of tennis and music. He played tennis at Foothill High School and Cal State Bakersfield and was awarded a Guinness World Record for an 80 hour tennis marathon. Growing up in a family of musicians, Joey continued that passion as a radio DJ for Buck Owens. Later in life he developed a love of singing karaoke, which brought him great joy and friendships.
When Joey married his soulmate, Linda, on June 3, 1979, he also welcomed and raised her son, Chad. Joseph and Jessica completed their fun-loving and adventurous family. Endlessly curious and capable, there was nothing Joey couldn't fix or build, skills that came in handy over many years as a volunteer scout leader, as well as in his 40+ year career in construction.
Joey's strength and determination were never more evident than when he battled pancreatic cancer and achieved remission in 2023. He and Linda celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends just a month before he succumbed to Valley Fever after a short hospital stay.
He leaves to mourn him his wife, Linda Parlet Blagg; children Chad Morgan, Joseph Blagg (Angela), and Jessica Cox (Stephen); daughter-in-law Michelle Morgan; siblings Connie Clagg, Robert Blagg (MyLena), Robin Blagg, Becky Edwards (Mack), and Linda LaMar (John); grandchildren Jordan, Haley and Jaron Morgan and Connor and Nathan Blagg; great-granddaughter Paisley Williams; numerous relatives and a multitude of friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Park Place, 28144 Fresno Ave. in Shafter, on Saturday, August 10 at 2pm.
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