James Frank Blackwell Iii

In loving memory of James Frank Blackwell III, beloved husband, father, brother and friend. Jim was born in Lexington, KY on August 20, 1959 to the late William Carroll Blackwell, Jr. and the late Marylan Sue Redmon. Jim grew up on an old tobacco, cattle and sheep farm, full of history and adventure. Joining the Air Force in 1977, he ended up in Austin, TX where he met and married his wife of 36 years, Karen Steele. After several major moves and the birth of four sons, Jim and Karen settled in Warner Robins, GA where Jim was an electrical engineer with the Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Jim was a steadfast partner, beloved brother, valued employee, trusted friend and most important, proud father to Clay, Ty, Casey and Shelby. Jim’s sudden passing on February 9th is a huge loss felt well beyond family and friends. Jim loved his family, history, reading and collecting Civil War memorabilia, much of which was found as a boy in Kentucky.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, William and Sue. He is survived by his wife, Karen of Warner Robins, GA; sons, Clay of Las Vegas, NV, and Ty (Ashlee), Casey and Shelby, all of Savannah, GA; sisters, Eva Hall of Winchester, KY and Jennye Blackwell of Lexington, KY; brother, William Carroll Blackwell IV of Winchester, KY; along with many extended family members.

A memorial service with Full Military Honors will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Reverend Jeff Cleghorn officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service behind the funeral home at The Farmhouse at McCullough Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Jim to the American Heart Association, 5962 Zebulon Road, PMB #359, Macon, GA 31210.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.