BLACKWELL Gordon Eustace Blackwell Jr.--- Born in Pascagoula Mississippi (1931) but grew up in and a long-time resident of Mobile and later Baldwin County, died peacefully Saturday morning, March 22, 2025, at a local senior living facility at age 94. Graduated from both Murphy High School and University of Alabama where he married Elise Calhoun and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force. Served active duty in Washington D.C. during Korean War and subsequently in USAF Reserves at both Brookley AFB (Mobile) and Maxwell AFB (Montgomery) for 21 years total military service.
In Mobile, civilian Gordon worked Brookley AFB accounting for 8 years, insurance agent for 11 years, then director of the city’s Intergovernmental Relations Department for 20 years. At 1994 retirement, he and Elise moved permanently to their beloved summer bay house in Fairhope until 2004’s Hurricane Ivan. Spent his final 20 years in a Spanish Fort Retirement Village.
Gordon was a long-time member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher, was active on the Church Council, and was recognized as an Honorary Steward. Very active civic involvement, including energetic member of West Mobile Kiwanis Club and Toastmasters International. Also president of the Westlawn Elementary PTA and Room-Daddy parent groups at children’s school; Little League baseball coach for son’s team and primary advisor for two grandson’s Eagle Scout projects.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife (Elise) of 54 years and youngest son, Steve Blackwell (DiAnne) of Summerdale, AL. He is survived by one daughter, Diane Blackwell Gremse (Dr. David) and oldest son, Dr. Keith Gordon Blackwell (Mary Ann) of Spanish Fort and Summerdale, respectively; six grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer Gremse Adair (Cory) of Mobile, Albert Gremse of Fairhope, Chris Gremse (Toni) of Las Vegas, NV, Amy Blackwell and Jonathan Blackwell of Summerdale, and Matthew Blackwell (Svava) of Reykjavik, Iceland; and three great grandchildren, Gordon “Finn” Adair, James Adair and Elise Adair, all of Mobile.
Graveside services and interment will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends during church visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. that morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, 1507 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604 or the charity of your choice.
