Robert J. Blackmon

January 4, 1946-

July 9, 2012

Robert was born January 4, 1946 and passed away after a courageous fight with Leukemia on July 9, 2012. Bob was the eldest son of William H. and Asunta Blackmon. Bob attended Warrington Jr . High and graduated from Escambia High School. He served in student government and was selected into the whose who of Escambia's Class of 64. Following high school Bob attended Pensacola Jr. College where he was elected student government president and a member of the Delta Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Bob then joined the Air Force in 1966 and served in Pleiku, Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He completed his military service in 1970. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Journalism and English. He worked briefly for Pensacola News Journal before beginning a distinguished 33 year career with American Airlines retiring in2008. Bob attended Cathedral of Sacred Heart and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Men of St. Joseph, and the Mystic Order of Biscuits Mardi Gras Crew.

He is survived by Ellen Blackmon his loving, caring wife of 37 years, sons Brandon Blackmon, Tim Hollingsworth, Chad Hollingsworth and daughters Stacy Burchfield and Amy Bailey, 10 grandchildren, his Brothers William Blackmon, Richard Blackmon, Donald Blackmon, his sister Linda Bennett and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Services will be held on Friday at 10:00am, July 13th at Sacred Heart Cathedral, located at 1616 E. 12th Street. Visitation will be at 9:00am. Interment will be at Barrancus National Cemetery at 11:45.

He was a loving husband, devoted father, adoring grandfather, caring brother and uncle. He was a man with a huge heart that never really met a stranger, possessing a wit and special love for all. He felt that at the end of the day, if you had left someone with a smile—it was a good day. Bobby Blackmon will truly be missed by everyone.

A special thanks to the transplant staff at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida; the Infusion Center Staff at Sacred Heart Hospital; and the doctors at Sacred Heart Cancer Center for the caring support they have provided over the last several months.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart would be appreciated.

Pallbearers are Doug Knowles, Raymond Anderson, David McLean, Cris Dose , Dan Watson and Don Hanzes.

We tried to keep this short but, after all, this is Bobby Blackmon.