J. LLoyd Blackwell III

J. Lloyd Blackwell III passed away on January 13 at Valley Senior Living on Columbia with his loving wife of 58 years at his side. Lloyd, as he was called throughout his life, was born Josire Lloyd Blackwell III on November 6, 1939 on the family farm in Cobb County, Georgia, to Josire Lloyd Blackwell, Jr. (“Jake”) and Dorothy “Dottie” Davenport Blackwell. He grew up on the farm and won multiple fair ribbons for livestock. Lloyd received his B.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics from Georgia State University. He pursued a career in academia, teaching at West Georgia College; Virginia Military Institute, where he also coached the rifle team; and University of North Dakota, where he taught for thirty-two years until his retirement in 2012. During his studies, he met Patricia “Trish” Vernoy, who won his heart by correcting him in class. They married in 1965 and went on to have two children. Always a country boy at heart, Lloyd enjoyed outdoor activities with his loved ones until Parkinson disease limited his mobility. At one point or another of his life, you could find him taking his daughters fishing, biking or cross-country skiing with Trish, or hunting deer with friends. For several years, his golden retriever, Sophie, joined him on his duck-hunting expeditions. Lloyd never lost his Georgia accent. When he changed his little-used first name, Josire, to the more common Josiah, the pronunciation was nearly identical. A lifelong learner, Lloyd relished a challenge. He learned T’ai chi and conversational Mandarin in middle age and began studying guitar in his retirement. A constant reader and indefatigable conversationalist, he always continued to learn and share new things. Survivors include his wife, Trish Blackwell; daughters, Alice and Laura Blackwell; two sons-in-law; two grandchildren; brother, James Philip “Phil” Blackwell; half-brother, William Elder “Bill” Brazelton; several nieces and nephews; and one great-niece. Lloyd was preceded in death by his father, mother, and stepfather. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the donor’s own favorite charity. A private Memorial Service will be held at a late date. Amundson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for J. Lloyd Blackwell III.