BLACKWELL, THOMAS M.
Thomas Marcus “Murk” Blackwell age 88, of Chickamauga, GA went to be with his Savior and family Saturday, May 7, 2011.
He was born on June 5, 1922 in Benton, Polk County, TN to the late August & Ena Wimberley Blackwell.
He moved to Chickamauga, GA, at the age of seven and attended Chickamauga City Schools. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1940 at the age of seventeen and served with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific through World War II, being with the 1st wave on Guadalcanal in 1942. During the Korean Conflict, he was part of the famous “Frozen Chosen.” He retired from the Corps after more than twenty years of honorable & faithful service to our country in 1960. During his service, he received the following medals: Good Contact, American Defense, Presidental Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific, American Area, World War II Victory, Korean Service with 3 Stars, UN Service and National Defense. He continued employment at Camp Pendleton, CA as a civil service employee for another nineteen years. He moved back to Chickamauga in 1980 and continued to work until age 82. He had been employed by Shoney’s in Fort Oglethorpe, Granny’s Restaurant in Rock Spring, GA, and last worked as a driver for Walker County Transit Authority. He attended the First Baptist Church of Chickamauga.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Diora Howard, John O. Barker, Bonnie Best, Emory Barker, Blanche Boyles and Laverne Hensley.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law: Alexandra & Jonathan Allen of Oceanside, CA, son and daughter-in-law: Emory & Linda Blackwell of Honduras, granddaughters and their spouses: Jennifer & Derek Thomas, Christina & Jesse Weller, Megan Blackwell, great-grandsons: Ryland and Knox Thomas, numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday after 10:00 a.m. until the service. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in the chapel with Dr. Dan Whitaker and Pastor Chris Morgan officiating. Buddy Shields, Hal Shields, Colin Shields, Devin Shields, David Best and Steve Ellison will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow in Chickamauga Cemetery with Military Honors. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Buddy Shields for his devotion as Murk’s caregiver for the last several years.
Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes – Chickamauga, Georgia.