About Ted Blakey
Theodore Robert Blakey (August 31, 1925 – October 14, 2004) was an American historian, businessman, and activist. He was instrumental in the civil rights movement in South Dakota and was leader of the committee that helped the state ratify the Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Blakey was among the first African American leaders of Junior Chamber International, Kiwanis, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was named the state's black historian in 1995 and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1997. == Early life == Theodore Robert Blakey was born in Yankton, South Dakota, on August 31, 1925. His parents were Henry Blakey and Mary Fristoe, and Ted had ten older siblings. His parents had migrated from Missouri to South Dakota in 1905. He attended Grove Elementary School and earned his general education diploma in 1967. == Career == Blakey founded his first business, Blakey's Janitor Service, in 1956 and expanded into a pest control business in 1968. He created Ted Blakey Bail Bonds in 1975.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.