M. J. Blackman

M. J. Blackman, age 95 of Gatesville, passed away on Monday, July 5, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 9, 2021 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Ken Laney officiating.  Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery.  The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Marvle Johnson (M.J.) Blackman was born on October 25, 1925 in the Ames community of Coryell County, to the late Thomas Lott and Dora Estelle Chatham Blackman.  He grew up and attended school in the communities of Slater, Schley and Peabody.  He entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served for two years, being honorably discharged in 1946.  He married Ruth Frye on August 14, 1948. In his younger years, he was a true cowboy and rodeo contestant, riding bulls, broncs and steer roping.  He was a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association.  He worked for Troy Lee Hunt for 42 years as a ranch foreman and at the auction barn.  He married Sheila Snyder Adams in 1991.  He attended Live Oak Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth in 1990; twin infant sons; four brothers and six sisters.

M. J. is survived by his wife of thirty years, Sheila Blackman; children, Brenda Kiphen and husband, Dale, Patty Partin and husband, Jason, Keith Blackman and wife, Jennifer, Kim Blackman, Renee Mooney and husband, Hershal, Tina Montes, Jeff Adams; numerous grandchildren and great–grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to The Big Sting, 3417 Imperial Dr., Gatesville, TX 76528.