Clear, 26° F
(Aug. 17, 1938 - July 13, 2014)
Clifford Dale Blackwell, 75, of Cody, died on July 13, 2014, on his land doing what he loved.
He was born on Aug. 17, 1938, in Clay County, Ill., to Lucy Agnes Blackwell and Raymond Moses Blackwell. Cliff and his wife Sharon Lynn Blackwell were married in Lake Station, Ind., on Oct. 26, 1991. They moved out to Diamond Basin in 1993 to live on the property he purchased with his retirement from Inland after 35 years of service.
Cliff was a hard-working man. Before the sun would come up you would find him making some bacon and eggs before tending to his 21 acres of property.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, making Indian artwork, his granddaughter Kylie and a cold beer. During football season you could hear him rooting for his beloved Denver Broncos. Sometimes you would find him and Kylie riding the mower or tractor across the field to go irrigate.
In March 1999, Cliff was diagnosed with cancer. After several surgeries and chemotherapy, Cliff came out a survivor. Throughout his bout with cancer, he continued to care for his family and his property.
He was an amazing man, a loving husband, a caring father and a best friend. He will be missed.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Bob Blackwell, Bill Blackwell, Tom Blackwell and Gary Blackwell.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Blackwell; brother Harry (Vera) Blackwell; sisters Ella Ann (Bob) Starky, Connie Lane, Agnes Butts and Tiny Smith; sons Gene Blackwell and Larry Blackwell; and stepsons Robert Bogdan and James Bogdan. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well as his nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Ballard Funeral Home in Cody at 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 17, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. An online memorial is available at www.ballardfh.com
