Kelly L. Blackman

Kelly L. Blackman, 92, of Jackson, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born December 5, 1926, in Millersville, to Hugh and Lucille Stearns Blackman.  He and Dorothy Watkins were married January 6, 1948 in Jackson.  They had been married 68 years when Dorothy passed away November 30, 2015.

Kelly was a 1944 graduate of Jackson High School.  He was a Seaman 1st Class in the U.S. Navy, serving honorably from May 15, 1944 to May 16, 1946.  Thereafter, for over 50 years, he was affiliated with the former Rozier’s in uptown Jackson, serving as store manager and president of the corporation and retiring in 1991.

Kelly was an all-around enthusiast of Jackson sports.  He faithfully attended all kinds of games until his health rendered him unable to do so.  He was an avid golfer and member of Kimbeland Country Club in Jackson.  He was instrumental in the development of the Little League program in Jackson and coached youth baseball teams for the American Legion.  He was a former member of the Jackson Jaycees and Jackson Optimist Club.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include two children, Stephen (Mary) Blackman and Kim (John) King, of Jackson; four grandchildren, Tami (Roy) Frakes of Tama, Iowa, Brad (Amy) Blackman of Jackson, Brett Blackman of Cape Girardeau, Lori McLeod and husband Daniel Ancell of Wentzville, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren, Colson, Callie, and Mary Kate Frakes of Tama, Iowa, Brielle, Blake, Brady Blackman of Jackson, Peyton McLeod and Zachary Ancell of Wentzville; and two step-greatgrandchildren, Taylor Colvin of Wentzville and Collin Ancell of Moberly, Missouri; and two siblings, Truman (Bev) Blackman of Chesterfield, Missouri, Doris (the late Tom) Fell of San Francisco; and a sister-in-law, Mary Helen (the late Kenneth) Blackman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a brother, Kenneth Blackman; and a brother-in-law, Tom Fell.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2019, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral is at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2019, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating.

Burial and military rites will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Jackson R-2 School Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kelly L. Blackman, please visit our floral store.