Thomas M. Blackwood

Blackwood, Thomas M. LA MESA -- A much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Thomas M. Blackwood of La Mesa, passed away peacefully at his home March 22, 2014 with his family present. He had bravely confronted and fought his illness for a long time. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida and grew up in La Mesa, Ca. He attended school in La Mesa and graduated from Grossmont High School in 1962. Tom loved his sports and played in the La Mesa Little League, Pony League and was fortunate to play with the 1957 La Mesa Little League All Stars and played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. loving every moment of the experience. Tom moved away in the sixties to the Oakland Bay Area and then to the LA area to raise his family. While in the LA area, Tom became an avid golfer and met and kept life long friendships. He returned to La Mesa in 1997. Tom was a restaurateur for most of his life, running his own Jack-In-The-Box, Pioneer Chicken, Afternoon Delight, Wendy's and a 5 star restaurant, The 555. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; children, Tamara McCall, Paula Walker, Brian Blackwood, Traci Lampasona, Michael Nicholson, Scott and Shelley Nicholson. Together they had fourteen grandchildren, Justin, Mandy, Heather, Thomas, Nicolas, Rian, Vanessa, Annie, Breann, Riley, Faith, Reagan, Nathan and Jacob, and two great-grandchildren, Zacarias and Sylas; sisters, Paulette, Alison; brothers, Ro and Romaneth; nieces, Deena, Joley, Abby, Amanda, Jennifer, and nephew, Jason. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 26, 2014 at Harry Griffen Park Amphitheater from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m.