Kelly Blackman

Kelly L. Blackman, 92, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Millersville to Hugh and Lucille Stearns Blackman. He and Dorothy Watkins were married Jan. 6, 1948, in Jackson. They had been married 68 years when Dorothy passed away Nov. 30, 2015.

Kelly was a 1944 graduate of Jackson High School. He was a seaman first class in the U.S. Navy, serving honorably from May 15, 1944, to May 16, 1946. Thereafter, for over 50 years, he was affiliated with the former Rozier's in uptown Jackson, serving as store manager and president of the corporation and retiring in 1991.

Kelly was an all-around enthusiast of Jackson sports. He faithfully attended all kinds of games until his health rendered him unable to do so. He was an avid golfer and member of Kimbeland Country Club in Jackson. He was instrumental in the development of the Little League program in Jackson and coached youth baseball teams for the American Legion. He was a former member of the Jackson Jaycees and Jackson Optimist Club.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include two children, Stephen (Mary) Blackman and Kim (John) King of Jackson; four grandchildren, Tami (Roy) Frakes of Tama, Iowa, Brad (Amy) Blackman of Jackson, Brett Blackman of Cape Girardeau and Lori McLeod and husband Daniel Ancell of Wentzville, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren, Colson, Callie and Mary Kate Frakes of Tama, Brielle, Blake and Brady Blackman of Jackson and Peyton McLeod and Zachary Ancell of Wentzville; two great-stepgrandchildren, Taylor Colvin of Wentzville and Collin Ancell of Moberly, Missouri; two siblings, Truman (Bev) Blackman of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Doris (the late Tom) Fell of San Francisco; and a sister-in-law, Mary Helen (the late Kenneth) Blackman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a brother, Kenneth Blackman; and a brother-in-law, Tom Fell.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Burial and military rites will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Jackson R-2 School Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.