BLACKWELL, GEORGE L.

George L. Blackwell, 86, of Canyon died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church in Canyon with Dr. David Lowrie officiating. Private family burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage St.

Mr. Blackwell was born Dec. 9, 1923, in Moriarty, N.M. He was raised on a ranch in Santa Fe County. After graduating from Stanley High School, Mr. Blackwell attended business school in Santa Fe, N.M. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served with the Marine Raiders in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Mr. Blackwell met Georgia Holt. They were married on March 11, 1947.

Mr. Blackwell received a bachelor’s degree in science and a bachelor’s degree in arts from West Texas State University. He purchased a small insurance company from T.S. Stevenson Sr. in 1953, which later became Blackwell and Associates.

One of Mr. Blackwell’s greatest joys was serving the Canyon High School senior class at First Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He was the charter president of the Canyon Kiwanis Club and served as lieutenant governor of the 6th District of the Kiwanis in 1967-68.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George T. and Cecil Stephens Blackwell; and a brother, Grant C. Blackwell.

Survivors include his wife; two sisters-in-law, Ann Root and Virginia Cotton; three nieces, Stephanie Dawdy, Vanessa Markham and Celia Winchell; two nephews, Floyd C. Blackwell and Tom Dawdy; two great-nieces; four great-nephews; numerous cousins; as well as three daughters of the heart, Ruby Moultrie, Supasiri Amataykal and Sirisupa Kulthanan.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church, 1717 Fourth Ave., Canyon, TX 79015; or Attn.: Ava Smith, Talking Boots Program, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927.

Honorary pallbearers will be Floyd Blackwell, Tom Dawdy, Ronnie Hager, Scott Markham, Barrett Winchell and Craig Winchell.