Kenneth Earl Blackman

Born: 11/8/1929
Died: 8/16/2012

Mr. Kenneth Earl Blackman, age 82, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at his home.
Born in Goldsboro, NC, on November 8, 1929, Mr. Blackman was the son of the late Henry Wesley Blackman and Dora Mae Moore Blackman. He was a graduate of the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in Washington D.C. and began his career as a missile control engineer for the federal government. He would later accept a position as a design engineer with the DuPont Company, where he retired from the Chambers Works site after many years of service.
A devout Christian, Mr. Blackman was a longtime, active member of the First Baptist Church of New Castle. He faithfully served his church community in many ways: as a Sunday School teacher, a chairman of the board of trustees, and the “temporary” church treasurer for over 20 years. He was an exceptionally gifted musician and vocalist, singing with the church choir for 35 years and playing his guitar with the music ministry’s band every fifth Sunday during services.
As a devoted husband and father, he particularly enjoyed taking vacations in the family camper, especially when traveling along with good friends. Widely admired for his skills as an able and knowledgeable handyman, he was at his happiest when staying busy and helping others.
Mr. Blackman proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ethel Odom Blackman; son, Craig Kenneth Blackman and wife Bonnie; grandsons, Nicolas Kenneth Blackman and Matthew Craig Blackman; step grandchildren, Kaitlan Mumley and Kevin Ramsdell; brother-in-law, Laskey Odom and wife Wilma; sister-in-law, Lucille Odom; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Wesley Blackman; brothers, Raymond, Sam, and Paul Blackman; and sisters, Bessie Ham and Mary Raynor.
A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, August 20, 2012, at the First Baptist Church of New Castle, 901 E. Basin Road, New Castle, DE, 19720, where visitation will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Mr. Blackman to the First Baptist Church of New Castle Building Fund at the address above.