George L. Blackwell 86 of Canyon, died Wednesday January 6, 2010 at his home.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Canyon with Dr. David Lowrie officiating. Private family burial will be at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St.

Mr. Blackwell was born on December 9, 1923 in Moriarty, NM. He was raised on a ranch in Santa Fe County. After graduating from Stanley High School, Mr. Blackwell attended business school in Santa Fe. He joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He served with the Marine Raiders in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Mr. Blackwell met Georgia Holt. They were married on March 11, 1947. Mr. Blackwell received a Bachelor's degree in Science and a Bachelor's degree in Arts from West Texas State University. He purchased a small insurance company from T.S. Stevenson, Sr., in 1953, which later became Blackwell and Associates.

One of Mr. Blackwell's greatest joys was serving the Canyon High School senior class at First Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He was the charter president of the Canyon Kiwanis Club and served as the Lieutenant Governor of the 6th District of the Kiwanis in 1967-68.

Mr. Blackwell was preceded in death by his parents, George T. and Cecil (Stephens) Blackwell and a brother Grant C. Blackwell.

Survivors include his wife of the home, 2 sisters in law, Ann Root and Virginia Cotton; 3 nieces, Stephanie Dawdy, Vanessa Markham and Celia Winchell; 2 nephews, Floyd C. Blackwell and Tom Dawdy; 2 great nieces, 4 great nephews, and numerous cousins as well as 3 daughters of the heart, Ruby Moultrie, Supasiri Amataykal and Sirisupa Kulthanan.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Floyd Blackwell, Tom Dawdy, Ronnie Hager, Scott Markham, Barrett Winchell and Craig Winchell.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to First Baptist Church of Canyon, 1717 4th Avenue, Canyon, Texas 79015 or the Talking Boots Program PO Box 12927 Austin, Texas 78711-2927, Attention; Ava Smith.

The body will not be available for viewing.