Thomas McKinney Blackwell passed away April 26, 2006, in Sacramento, Calif., following a brief illness.
He was the son of Chlore Humphrey and Ida Lou (Lisman) Blackwell, and was a long time resident of Sacramento who retired from the California Department of Social Services.
Tom was a World War II veteran, having served in Air Reconnaissance in the U.S. Army, and was discharged in 1945.
He was a native of Evansville and graduated from Bosse High School. Tom attended the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, and graduated from Evansville College in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Business.
He was an avid reader and was a keen observer of the 1930s, the decade of his youth. Although he lived the majority of his life in the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento, he took an abiding interest in the progress and development of his hometown, Evansville. Tom's lively, youthful, and enthusiastic personality attracted and drew many people to him. In particular, his nieces and nephews and their families will miss his good-humored, gentle guidance and the genuine interest he so often expressed in their lives.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Howard, Edward Scott, and James Lisman Blackwell; and sisters, Sara Margaret Chapman and Mary Alice Cook.
Tom is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rosalie; several cousins; and six nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2006, at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel,
2115 Lincoln Avenue.
