John Blackman

John Beringer Blackman was born August 13, 1936 in Midland, Texas to William "Bill" and Dorothy Blackman. John was a graduate of Midland High School. He started his career in the oil and gas industry in 1954 with Honolulu Oil Company washing case samples in their lab. He then went to work for Halliburton Oil Company for 7 years, then with Ingersoll-Rand as a company representative. He married his junior high school sweetheart, Betty Spurgers in 1954. They attended St. Mark United Methodist Church. John was active in Methodist Men, his Sunday school class and the youth department. He served 3 years in the Texas Army National Guard. In 1968 John was transferred to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he became a sales representative for France Compressor Products. He was an active member of First Methodist Church and the Beacon Sunday School Class, the Administrative Board and helped in the youth department. He became a member of the Masons Delta Lodge No. 425. In 1973 he was promoted to District Manager for the Louisiana area with France and moved to Baton Rouge.

In Baton Rouge he was an active member of Jefferson United Methodist Church, served on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees and Building Committee. He helped physically clear the land for the sanctuary and office building. He was a member of the Baton Rouge Sales and Marketing Executives. For over 25 years, he attended the Spiritual Life Retreat at Manresa in Convent, Louisiana.

In 1986 he was promoted to Regional Manager for the Southern half of the United States with France and moved to Sugar Land, Texas. While in Sugar Land, he was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, was on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Staff Parish Relations Committee and he and Betty founded the "Weavers" Sunday School Class. He became active in Christian Prison Fellowship. Every Wednesday night for 10 years he went to be a mentor at the prison. He worked "Kairos" weekends for prisoners and was active in the "Emmaus Community". He was one of the main greeters every Sunday at Christ Church. He worked Habitat for Humanity Homes with his churches. He was a "Stephen Minister".

After 36 years with France, he retired and moved to Denham Springs in 2003. He was an active member of First Methodist Church of Denham Springs. He served on the Administrative Board. Board of Trustees and the Jackson/Day Sunday School Class. He went every Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. to the Men's Bible/Prayer Group as long as he was able. He also continued his work with "Kairos" at Angola Prison. When the church education building burned in 2007 he was there every day possible to help clean and clear out the building. He worked the food pantry every Tuesday for several years. John loved music and sang in the choir at his different churches. He enjoyed a good game of golf and he loved life, loved people and never met a stranger!

John is survived by his wife Betty of 61 years; son, Ralph and daughter-in-law Marsha Blackman of Bedford, Texas; daughter, Janice and son-in-law Dean Reese of Denham Springs; Granddaughters, Shannon and husband Roger Fisher of Bedford, TX, Amy and husband Brad Bookout of New Braunfels, TX; grandson, Grant Blackman and wife Jessica of Arlington, TX; 6 great grandsons: Brooks, John Kingsley and Preston Fisher; Brock, Rhett and Luke Bookout; brother, Kingsley Blackman and wife Nancy of Ruidoso, New Mexico. He is also survived by sister-in-law Joyce Parson, Midland, TX brothers-in-law, J.S. Patton, Temple, TX and Richard Patton, Chino Valley, AZ and sister-in-law Nancy Patton of Sacramento, CA. "Uncle John" was loved by many nieces and nephews and his beloved Australian Shepherd "Emily" he called "Pup Girl".

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Adele Blackman Brautigan and brother William Stanley Blackman.

The family request that visiting hours be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Jefferson United Methodist Church, 10328 Jefferson Hwy from 2:00 PM until the time of services.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Jefferson United Methodist Church at 3:00 PM.

Interment will take place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery.

Special thanks to the Old Jefferson Community Care Center, Baton Rouge.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to 1st Methodist Church of Denham Springs, 316 Centerville N.W., Denham Springs, LA 70726.

Visitation

Jefferson United Methodist Church
10328 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Thursday, October 29, 2015
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Service

Jefferson United Methodist Church
10328 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Thursday, October 29, 2015
3:00 pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816