Gordon N Blackman

A Memorial Service will be held for Gordon N Blackman Sr (1/20/34-2/17/24) on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St, with Rev Dr Will Scott officiating. A reception will follow the  service.

It would be hard to imagine anyone more optimistic than Gordon. His motto was to let negativity flow off him like water off a duck's back. A native of Dallas TX, he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Pingree at North Texas State College (now University). They were married shortly after graduation in what Gordon always described as the smartest decision of his life. They were married 68 years.

Gordon and Mary were stationed with the Air Force across the United States during the first 22 years of their marriage, including Tampa FL where all three sons were born, Plattsburgh NY, Atwater CA, Ft Worth TX, and finally Bossier City LA where they sank deep roots. Gordon's decorated career included piloting B-47s, a notoriously difficult plane to fly, and KC-135s during the VietNam War.

Gordon loved to help people. He served as a deacon, ruling elder, usher, and Second Grade Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport. He served on the Bossier City Council, Bossier Parish Library Board, Bossier City Clean City Commission, and in numerous capacities with the Kiwanis Club. He took particular pride in organizing the annual Middle School Football Jamboree and in getting the Terrific Kids and BUGS (bring up grades) programs implemented in every school in Bossier Parish. During his years with the Kiwanis Club, he served as President and was awarded the Kiwanian of the Year and Layman of the Year Awards.

Gordon was predeceased by his parents: Daisy I Coleman and James J Blackman; brother: James J Blackman III; granddaughter: Mary Elizabeth Blackman; and nephew: Jimmy Blackman. He is survived by wife: Mary E Blackman; sons: Rev Gordon N Blackman Jr (Terry Langley), George R Blackman, and Gregory E Blackman MD (Marie Roche); grandchildren: Rachel R Blackman (Monserrat Andujar), Neal Blackman PhD (Lorelei Rogers), Caroline Blackman, Andrew Blackman, Juliette Blackman, Camille Blackman (Matt Johnson), and Manon Blackman; sister-in-law: Anita Fons Blackman; nieces: Janie Denise Blackman, Lela Bhavani Beechum, Deborah Main Williams (Curt), Kathryn McWilliams (Robert); nephews: Stephen Mark Blackman, Stuart Kyle Blackman, Steven Main (Theeann), and Stuart Pingree (Cynthia); former daughter-in-law: Michelle Dolan Blackman; and fur-baby: Tasha.

The family requests memorial donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport.