DRACUT: James D. Blackwell, Jr. age 86, a resident of Dracut for over 50 years, died Monday, December 11, 2006 at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington.
He was the husband of Ellen A. (Doole) Blackwell, with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 8th.
Born in Cleveland, Georgia on August 9, 1920, he was the son of the late J. Dillard and Elmina J. (Rowan) Blackwell.
Mr. Blackwell was raised in White County Georgia.
He attended White County schools and was graduated from the Cleveland High School in 1938.
Following graduation, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Mr. Blackwell served during World War II with the Headquarters Detachment 216th Quartermaster Battalion. He was awarded several decorations including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal.
While serving in the Army he met his wife Ellen.
Prior to his honorable discharge on January 9, 1946, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.
Following his military service, he worked in the watch and clock repair business in the Greater Lowell area.
Mr. Blackwell was employed for over 20 years as a development engineer by the B.B.N. Corporation of Cambridge and the Vibro-Meter Corporation of Billerica, until his retirement in 1988.
Mr. Blackwell was an active member of the Eliot Presbyterian Church of Lowell, where he served as a church elder, taught Sunday school and served on several minister search committees. In addition, he served on the finance committee for Synod of New England.
According to his family he was an avid golfer and was a member of the Tyngsboro Country Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Elmina J. Hilsenrath and her husband Ernest of Laurel, MD; one son, George L. Blackwell of Nashua, NH; one grandson, James D. Blackwell of Concord, MA; three step-grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Mary (Doole) (Amiot) Bennett and her husband Ralph of Tewksbury; many nieces and nephews including Joan Clark of Georgia.
Mr. Blackwell was the brother of the late Mary Alice Spivey.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 17, at 12 p.m., at the Eliot Presbyterian Church, 273 Summer St., Lowell. At the request of the family there are NO Calling Hours. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Eliot Presbyterian Church, 273 Summer St., Lowell, MA 01852 or to Lahey Clinic Medical Ctr., c/o Philanthropy Dept., 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01805 are requested.