Horace Jefferson Blackford

1928 - 2013

Horace Jefferson ('Ike', 'Tex') Blackford, 85, of Windsor, beloved husband of Edwina (St. Peter) Blackford, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 19, 2013 while surrounded by his family. Son of the late Jesse S. Blackford and Minnie Lee (Jones) Blackford, Horace was born in Stanton, Texas on April 14, 1928. Horace grew up in Texas on the family farm along with his eight siblings, and as a young child was given the nickname "Ikey" when he would say "give it to I" instead of "give it to me." He learned the building and carpentry trade from his Dad, and would later build the house in Windsor where he and Edwina raised their two daughters Kathy and Karen. The girls often said that he had the patience of a saint, and to this day cannot remember a time that he ever got angry about anything! Family always came first and he loved each and every one unconditionally. He attended Hardin Simmons University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in northern Maine he met Edwina; they married in 1954 and lived in Texas for several years before moving to Connecticut. Ike was employed by Kaman Corp. in Bloomfield as an electrical engineer until his retirement in 1990. He was active in the Kaman bowling league for several years, and won numerous trophies. It was in Connecticut he was given the nickname "Tex." He was an avid gardener and he and Edwina grew a variety of fruits and vegetables in their large backyard garden. Tex loved to build things, including a gazebo that is still in the backyard of his Windsor home. After his retirement, he took up golf, and was a member of the Windsor Senior League for several years. Besides his wife, he leaves his beloved daughters and their husbands, Kathryn and Raymond Perleoni of Suffield and Karen and Joe Gerhauser of East Granby; his grandchildren Joseph and his wife Jennifer of Enfield and Nicole Gerhauser of East Granby; his great grandchildren Piper, Kalani, Riley and Alexander Gerhauser and Sebastian and Isabella Fandino and their father Jorge Fandino; his siblings, Opal Petree, Sally Norwood and Roland Blackford all of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond, Chester, Clarence, Alvin and Doyle. His family wishes to thank his home health aides, Maria Ostos, Debra Martin and Shanette Hicks for their compassionate care; and also the wonderful VNA/Hospice nurses and aides. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the VNA Healthcare and Hospice, c/o VNA Fund Dept 106093, P.O. Box 150485, Hartford, CT 06115-0485. His family will receive friends TODAY, December 22, 2013 from 2-5 p.m. in the Carmon Poquonock Funeral Home, 1816 Poquonock Avenue in Windsor. Services at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be privately held at the convenience of his family. To send notes of condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.