EDWARD EARL BLACKWELL, 86, of Panhandle,
TX passed away peacefully and into the arms of Jesus
on Sept. 30, 2025, with burial in Panhandle Cemetery.
Ed was born on Nov. 15, 1938, in Gorman, TX to Elmer
& Ruby Blackwell. He was raised on the family farm
in the Chaney community southeast of Ranger, TX. He
graduated from Ranger High School in 1957. He attended
Ranger Jr. College and worked in Freeman Pecan Nursery
& the Ivan Allen Ranch near Ranger. He graduated from
Sam Houston State University in 1961 with a Bachelor
of Science in Agricultural Education. He obtained his
teaching certificate after completing his practice
teaching in Vo-Ag at Lovelady, TX.
In 1961, he joined the U.S. Army National Guard and
was called to active duty during the Cold War and the
Cuban Missile Crisis serving with the Armored Division
through most of 1962. He continued serving in the
National Guard for another 5 years serving at Fort
Polk, LA; Fort Chaffee, AR; Fort Sill, OK; and Fort
Hood, TX.
In 1964, he moved to Hereford, TX and became employed
by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. He worked 12
years in Hereford (Deaf Smith County), and 3 years in
Friona (Parmer County).
He married Virginia Fulks, a blessing to him for 52
years in July of 1971 at Friona He was promoted to
District Conservationist in 1979 at Panhandle (Carson
County) where he, Virginia, and his son Jon moved from
Hereford. He worked in Panhandle from 1979 to 1994. Ed
received numerous awards for his leadership in this
position. After his retirement in 1994, he was employed
part-time at Stamps Spraying Service and Robinson Grain
Company.
Ed was a member of the Panhandle Church of Christ. Being
raised in the small community of Chaney where his dad led
singing at the small Church of Christ,his dad encouraged
him to be a bass singer with his low voice. He strived to
do this throughout most of his adult life, singing with
his family and church. He absolutely loved gospel quartet
music, especially the Cathedrals, J.D. Sumner and the
Stamps Quartet, as well as songwriter and singer, Bill
Gather.
One of his greatest blessings was watching his son Jon
and grandsons Ryan and Tate play football and baseball,
and he was able to attend many of their events. He also
enjoyed gardening, especially growing tomatoes. But his
real joy was sharing the fruits of his harvest with his
family, friends, and community.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, his
parents, his sister Maureen Blackwell Eastland, brother
Ray Blackwell (RJC), and brother Herman Blackwell (RHS-
1945).
He is survived by his son Jon and wife Heather of Amarillo,
grandsons, Ryan of Friona, and Tate of Amarillo. He is
also survived by his sister June Blackwell Ice (RHS-1950)
of Waco, his brother Virgil Blackwell (RHS-1961) and wife
Dixie of Iowa Park, and his sister-in-law Donna Lee of
Abernathy, as well as many nieces and nephews.