Peter Blackwell

1943 - 2025

BLACKWELL, Peter Harry

Peter passed away peacefully on April 4, 2025, in Sandy Springs, GA. Born August 25, 1943, at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C., Peter grew up in Silver Spring, MD, where sports shaped much of his early life. He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School as Senior class president and proud member of the tennis team. He went on to Cornell University, continuing his academic journey and love for tennis, graduating with the class of '65. While at Cornell, he earned a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, completing Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA, before being honorably discharged due to an injury.

After a brief role at IBM, Peter earned his MBA from the Wharton School and joined advertising agency J. Walter Thompson in NYC. In the early 70's, he became Director of Corporate Planning at Six Flags Corporation in CA, where he helped launch Mystery Fun House in Orlando, FL. He later moved to Orlando, where he married and raised two children. In the 80's, Peter pursued his true calling—financial planning—founding a successful practice that reflected his frugality, logic, entrepreneurial spirit and deep care for others.

Peter was a devoted father, Christian, brother, friend, and—by his own account—an "average golfer." He spent his final years in Atlanta, near his daughter and dear friends at Mount Vernon Village. He played bridge weekly, cheered on his daughter at tennis matches, and continued to brighten every room he entered. Peter had a rare gift: people simply loved being around him. Selfless, warm, and quietly generous, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will be lovingly missed, always remembered, and forever admired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter H. Blackwell and Gertrude Barnum Blackwell. Survived by his brother, Edwin B. "Ned" Blackwell; his children, Brandy and Harris Blackwell; two grandchildren; and former spouse, Cheryl Blackwell.