Jack C. Blackwell

Pastor Jack Blackwell, 85, a longtime minister and educator of Altamont, went to be with the Lord at 6:15 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2018 while living in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born June 18, 1933 in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma to Ted C. and Noble Marie (Mowery) Blackwell. In 1952, he graduated from Webbers Falls High School. He then continued his education at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and earned his Master's degree at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Jack's post-graduate work was completed at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas and Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  He served eight years in the United States Army Reserve.

On February 9, 1952, he and Olena Moore were married in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma. Following marriage, the couple made their home in Webbers Falls before living in various towns including Chetopa, Kansas, Sedan, Kansas, Goodland, Kansas, El Dorado, Kansas, Eight Mile, Alabama, and Altamont, Kansas.

Jack served as principal at Altamont Grade School for 18 ½ years until retiring in 1993. For several years, he pastored at the Edna Assembly of God Church (now Crosstimbers Community Church) and later for 12 years at Center Bethel Union Church in rural Parsons.

Jack was a member of the Center Bethel Union Church. He was also a past member of Kiwanis, Lions Club, Jaycees where he also served as an officer, and numerous teacher and administration organizations. He loved Southern gospel music and had attended the National Gospel Quartet Convention eight times. Jack loved to travel and enjoyed planning family trips and get-togethers. In earlier years, he also enjoyed hunting, playing softball, and bowling. Jack had served as Boy Scout leader in the past.

Survivors include:

His loving wife of 66 years, Olena Blackwell, of the home

Three Sons – Lyndon Blackwell and his wife, Vicki, of Burlington, KS

Randy Blackwell and his wife, Pam, of Altamont, KS

Tony Blackwell and his wife, Carla, of Altamont, KS

One Daughter – KyAnne Weaver and her husband, Kevin, of Springfield, MO

Twelve Grandchildren – Christy Monasmith (Joel), David Blackwell (Heather), Sarah Gilreath (Chris), Scott Blackwell (Melissa), Samantha Blackwell, Will Dowty, Nathan Blackwell (Kara), Allison Clark (Jake), Hannah Blackwell, Kaleb Weaver (Michaelah), Keith Weaver (Kelli), and Klay Weaver

Thirteen Great-Grandchildren and three "on the way"

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Altamont Grade School gymnasium. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Altamont Grade School PTO or Center Bethel Union Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.