John Ray Blackwell September 23, 1951 – February 15, 2025

John Ray Blackwell, 73, of Sand Springs, OK, passed away on February 15, 2025. Born on September 23, 1951, he was the son of Roberta Ann and Hobart M. "Blackie" Blackwell.

John proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from December 9, 1968, to February 20, 1975, with a deployment to Vietnam for a total of 1 year, 7 months, and 4 days. He was honorably discharged and received several medals and commendations for his dedicated service during the Vietnam War.

After his military career, John worked as an apprentice in the Local Carpenters Union before embarking on a long and fulfilling career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a computer specialist. He retired from USACE in 2003.

John was a man of many passions. He loved woodworking, hunting, fishing, boating, and photography. He took great pride in gardening, raising animals, and, as he often joked, raising a little hell. He was known for his skills in cooking, working on old hot rods, and making clocks, hobbies that brought him great joy throughout his life.

John's greatest love was his family. He is survived by his children: Jennifer Blackwell, Kristen Boggs (Carl), Marika Tripp, and Matt Blackwell (Jennifer). He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Justine, Jaxon, Kalee Kallam, Jaycee, Emmalee Wicker (Ethan), Alyssa Smelser (Stetson), Elizabeth, Maddie, Olivia Weiner, Micah, Emersyn Blackwell, Easton Blackwell, and Riggins. He is also survived by several great-grandchildren, Briella, Brinleigh,June,Zayd,Jet, and Corbin Wicker, who brought him immense joy in his later years. He is also survived by his brothers, Lonnie Blackwell (Kim) and Duke Blackwell.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Roberta Ann and Hobart M. "Blackie" Blackwell and sister Bobbie Ann Blackwell.

John's life and dedication to service and country will be honored at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a veterans' charity of your choice in John's honor.

John's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him—through his love for his family, his service to his country, and his many talents that touched the lives of those around him.

A poem written by John:

A Marine

After the security of childhood and before the insecurity of the second childhood we find the Marine.  Marines are found everywhere; in bars, behind bars in battle, in love, on leave, and in debt.  Marines come in assorted sizes, weights, and in state sobriety, misery, and confusion.  Girls love them, mothers tolerate them, the United States Government supports them, and somehow they manage to get along with each other.  A marine is lazy with a deck of cards, a millionaire without a cent, bravery without a grain of sense.  He is as sly as a fox, has the energy of a turtle, the stories of an old sailor, and the sincerity of a liar.  He has the appetite of an elephant, the aspiration of Casanova when he wants something its usually a three day pass, a beer, a five dollar bill, or a stand-by.  He likes girls, women, females, ladies and members of the opposite sex.  He dislikes answering letters, wearing his uniform, his superiors, getting up for reveille, Marine Corps Chow, basic training, Di's, war, the week before payday, and the curfews set by the parents of the girl he takes out.  No woman can have him, no man can beat him.  He is unreliable, irresponsible, and indestructible.  No one else can write so seldom yet think of you so often. No one else can get so much enjoyment out of your letters, civilian clothes,sex magazines, or a cold six pack of brew.  A Marine is a magical creature.  You can put him out of you home but not out of your heart.  You can take him off your mailing list, but not off your mind.  He is your long lost, long distant lover.  He is your own bright eyed bundle of worry.  Even all your shattered dreams seam insignificant when he come home to you and greets you with those innocently spoken words:  "Hi Honey"