James C. Blackwell, Sr. passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2010. He was 93. Born in Folsom May 4, 1917, he grew up on his parents' (Norman M. and Lilly Wascom Blackwell) small farm along with his six older brothers, Willie, Hezzie, Neal, Otto, Morgan and Woodrow "Chink" and two sisters Mae Dawsey and Katie Raiford.
At a very early age, James acquired the nickname of "Preacher" and most people knew him by this name. When "Preacher" first attended Lyon High School in Covington, it was quickly evident that he was a natural athlete and he became a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. By the time he graduated from Lyon High, his reputation as a football player and trackman had landed him All-State honors and an athletic scholarship to LSU. Wanting to play football immediately, James transferred to Southeastern Louisiana Junior College (now Southeastern Louisiana University) where he played halfback. He then transferred to Northeast Louisiana Junior College (Louisiana - Monroe) to continue his football career. After a year at Monroe, "Preacher" made the decision to once again transfer schools and enrolled at East Texas State University (Texas A&M - Commerce). He finished his college-playing career at this Texas school as a star halfback and punter on the football team and a champion trackman.
After graduating from East Texas in 1940, James was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Lawson General Army Hospital in Chamblee, Ga., for training and assignment. He was being trained as an X-Ray technician at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. when Pearl Harbor was attacked Dec. 7, 1941. In the Army "Blackie" as he was now known continued his love of athletics, playing baseball and basketball on the Army's competitive "camp" teams. After his discharge from the Army following the end of World War II, "Blackie" remained in Georgia and began his business career. Using the benefits provided by his veteran status, he successfully completed the requirements for a law degree while holding down a full time job and raising a family. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, holding several management positions over his 32-year career. James retired in 1982.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan B. Jones (Don); son James C. ,Jr. (Judy); four grandchildren, Missy Jones Hudgins, Chuck Jones, Jennifer Blackwell Poulton, Justin Blackwell; six great-grandchildren, Rachel, James Reis "JR," Annabelle Hudgins, Shelby and Dalton Jones and Finley Poulton and many other relatives and friends. He will be missed by us all. He was a true gentleman, loved and respected for his devotion to his family.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the graveside service at 11 a.m. in Blackwell Cemetery off of Hwy 40 in Folsom.
St. Tammany News
At a very early age, James acquired the nickname of "Preacher" and most people knew him by this name. When "Preacher" first attended Lyon High School in Covington, it was quickly evident that he was a natural athlete and he became a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. By the time he graduated from Lyon High, his reputation as a football player and trackman had landed him All-State honors and an athletic scholarship to LSU. Wanting to play football immediately, James transferred to Southeastern Louisiana Junior College (now Southeastern Louisiana University) where he played halfback. He then transferred to Northeast Louisiana Junior College (Louisiana - Monroe) to continue his football career. After a year at Monroe, "Preacher" made the decision to once again transfer schools and enrolled at East Texas State University (Texas A&M - Commerce). He finished his college-playing career at this Texas school as a star halfback and punter on the football team and a champion trackman.
After graduating from East Texas in 1940, James was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Lawson General Army Hospital in Chamblee, Ga., for training and assignment. He was being trained as an X-Ray technician at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. when Pearl Harbor was attacked Dec. 7, 1941. In the Army "Blackie" as he was now known continued his love of athletics, playing baseball and basketball on the Army's competitive "camp" teams. After his discharge from the Army following the end of World War II, "Blackie" remained in Georgia and began his business career. Using the benefits provided by his veteran status, he successfully completed the requirements for a law degree while holding down a full time job and raising a family. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, holding several management positions over his 32-year career. James retired in 1982.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan B. Jones (Don); son James C. ,Jr. (Judy); four grandchildren, Missy Jones Hudgins, Chuck Jones, Jennifer Blackwell Poulton, Justin Blackwell; six great-grandchildren, Rachel, James Reis "JR," Annabelle Hudgins, Shelby and Dalton Jones and Finley Poulton and many other relatives and friends. He will be missed by us all. He was a true gentleman, loved and respected for his devotion to his family.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the graveside service at 11 a.m. in Blackwell Cemetery off of Hwy 40 in Folsom.
St. Tammany News
James C. Blackwell, Sr. passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2010. He was 93. Born in Folsom May 4, 1917, he grew up on his parents' (Norman M. and Lilly Wascom Blackwell) small farm along with his six older brothers, Willie, Hezzie, Neal, Otto, Morgan and Woodrow "Chink" and two sisters Mae Dawsey and Katie Raiford.
At a very early age, James acquired the nickname of "Preacher" and most people knew him by this name. When "Preacher" first attended Lyon High School in Covington, it was quickly evident that he was a natural athlete and he became a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. By the time he graduated from Lyon High, his reputation as a football player and trackman had landed him All-State honors and an athletic scholarship to LSU. Wanting to play football immediately, James transferred to Southeastern Louisiana Junior College (now Southeastern Louisiana University) where he played halfback. He then transferred to Northeast Louisiana Junior College (Louisiana - Monroe) to continue his football career. After a year at Monroe, "Preacher" made the decision to once again transfer schools and enrolled at East Texas State University (Texas A&M - Commerce). He finished his college-playing career at this Texas school as a star halfback and punter on the football team and a champion trackman.
After graduating from East Texas in 1940, James was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Lawson General Army Hospital in Chamblee, Ga., for training and assignment. He was being trained as an X-Ray technician at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. when Pearl Harbor was attacked Dec. 7, 1941. In the Army "Blackie" as he was now known continued his love of athletics, playing baseball and basketball on the Army's competitive "camp" teams. After his discharge from the Army following the end of World War II, "Blackie" remained in Georgia and began his business career. Using the benefits provided by his veteran status, he successfully completed the requirements for a law degree while holding down a full time job and raising a family. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, holding several management positions over his 32-year career. James retired in 1982.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan B. Jones (Don); son James C. ,Jr. (Judy); four grandchildren, Missy Jones Hudgins, Chuck Jones, Jennifer Blackwell Poulton, Justin Blackwell; six great-grandchildren, Rachel, James Reis "JR," Annabelle Hudgins, Shelby and Dalton Jones and Finley Poulton and many other relatives and friends. He will be missed by us all. He was a true gentleman, loved and respected for his devotion to his family.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the graveside service at 11 a.m. in Blackwell Cemetery off of Hwy 40 in Folsom.
St. Tammany News
At a very early age, James acquired the nickname of "Preacher" and most people knew him by this name. When "Preacher" first attended Lyon High School in Covington, it was quickly evident that he was a natural athlete and he became a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. By the time he graduated from Lyon High, his reputation as a football player and trackman had landed him All-State honors and an athletic scholarship to LSU. Wanting to play football immediately, James transferred to Southeastern Louisiana Junior College (now Southeastern Louisiana University) where he played halfback. He then transferred to Northeast Louisiana Junior College (Louisiana - Monroe) to continue his football career. After a year at Monroe, "Preacher" made the decision to once again transfer schools and enrolled at East Texas State University (Texas A&M - Commerce). He finished his college-playing career at this Texas school as a star halfback and punter on the football team and a champion trackman.
After graduating from East Texas in 1940, James was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Lawson General Army Hospital in Chamblee, Ga., for training and assignment. He was being trained as an X-Ray technician at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. when Pearl Harbor was attacked Dec. 7, 1941. In the Army "Blackie" as he was now known continued his love of athletics, playing baseball and basketball on the Army's competitive "camp" teams. After his discharge from the Army following the end of World War II, "Blackie" remained in Georgia and began his business career. Using the benefits provided by his veteran status, he successfully completed the requirements for a law degree while holding down a full time job and raising a family. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, holding several management positions over his 32-year career. James retired in 1982.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan B. Jones (Don); son James C. ,Jr. (Judy); four grandchildren, Missy Jones Hudgins, Chuck Jones, Jennifer Blackwell Poulton, Justin Blackwell; six great-grandchildren, Rachel, James Reis "JR," Annabelle Hudgins, Shelby and Dalton Jones and Finley Poulton and many other relatives and friends. He will be missed by us all. He was a true gentleman, loved and respected for his devotion to his family.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the graveside service at 11 a.m. in Blackwell Cemetery off of Hwy 40 in Folsom.
St. Tammany News
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