David Blackmun

LIFE STORY:

David Blackmun was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, a man who worked hard for everything he ever had in life. David was a truck driver by profession, an outdoorsman by passion, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. David was a tough man, who could often be a gruff man, but he was always a good man.

David’s story began on a cool fall day in 1955, as the leaves peaked with color in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were turbulent times, during the Cold War, the Space Race, and the Nuclear Age. The world was changing fast, especially for John and Velta (Johnson) Blackmun, who celebrated the birth of a baby boy on October 17, 1955, a son they named David John.

David was joined in his family’s Kalamazoo home by his six siblings, Larry, Evelyn, Judy, Linda, Gerry and Butch. His dad was a hardworking welder, while his mother cared for the family and the home.

David attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, though he was never one to be cooped up for too long. He’d much rather be outside, hunting or fishing, or hitting the open road. He left school early, though he eventually went back to Kalamazoo Central and earned his diploma later on.

When David was a young man, he met a wonderful woman named Sherry Taylor, and the sparks flew between them. They began dating, fell in love, and were married on December 13, 1975, beginning many happy years together.

It wasn’t long before the newlyweds became parents, too, and before they knew it, they were the proud parents of , Andrew, and Penny. David could be a strict father, but his love for them was never in question. Of course, he also taught his children to hunt and fish, sharing his passions with them.

David worked hard to provide for his family, and worked a variety of jobs over the years. He was exceptionally handy, and loved to tinker with things, fixing lawn mowers on the side. His favorite job was his time as a truck driver, which was a good job for David. He loved to hit the open road, with nothing but his CB and his radio to keep him company. He loved music, whether it was playing his guitar, or listening to oldies, gospel or country on the radio, with Johnny Cash his all-time favorite.

When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family, you’d find David hunting or fishing, and he fished many of the lakes in the area. He loved fishing on Hoggsett, Gourdneck, Sunset, Lake Cora and Reynolds Lake.

When his own children grew up and began having children of their own, he couldn’t have been happier or more proud. He loved his grandkids more than anything, Gage, Hailey and Baylee.

In the mid-2000s, David’s health eventually began to fail him, and he had to stop working full-time in 2006. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and enjoying the great outdoors he loved so much.

Slowly, his health continued to decline, and the years took their toll on him. Sadly, David died on Monday, July 21, 2008, at the age of 52.

David was a hardworking husband, loving father and grandfather, and true outdoorsman, too. He was a tough man, and he could be a gruff man, but he was always a good man. He will be greatly missed.

David is survived by his wife, Sherry, his children, , Andrew, and Penny; grandchildren, Gage, Hailey and Baylee; his siblings, Evelyn, Judy, and Butch. He was preceded in death by his brother Larry and sisters Linda and Gerrilee.

Services will be held at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church at 4 pm on Thursday, July 31, 2008.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of David, or to sign his online guestbook.