Blaine Westlake

Deacon Blaine Westlake was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in June 1996, served with Monsignor Joseph Tash until his death in 2012, continues to serve the people of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and now functions with Pastor Rev. John Valdez.

Blaine and Louise were married February 1973 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and are truly blessed to have four adult children: Blaine Westlake Jr (wife: Amanda), Denise Price (husband Stephen), Renee Anderson (husband Brandon), and Mary Turman (husband Derek); and eleven grandchildren: Ryan, Ansleigh, Ricky, Sean (deceased), Ben, Beau, Adaline, Madolyn, Luke, Owen and Max (deceased).

Deacon Blaine was born in Savannah, Georgia and holds a Bachelor's Degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. He is a Vietnam veteran having served in the U.S. Navy and is a retired Special Agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Deacon Blaine has been the Director of the Diaconate of the Amarillo Diocese since 1996 and has so served under the leadership of three Bishops: Most Reverend Leroy Matthiesen, John W. Yanta, and Patrick Zurek.

After his secular retirement he was asked to work full time for the Diocese of Amarillo as the Director of the Diaconate and Safe Environment Offices, as well overseeing several other diocesan ministries and serving on various committees.

He served on the Board of Directors of the National Diaconate Directors Association from 2010-2016, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle.

Both Blaine and Louise participate in many ministries together including the last five Deacon Formation Classes, conducting retreats, and have recently retired as Coordinators of the Engaged Encounter program after 21 years.

Dcn. Blaine's favorite scripture is Joshua 24:15- “As for me and my house- we shall serve the Lord!" This he applies to his and Louise's biological family as well as the St. Thomas parish family.