James Blacker

James C. Blacker
February 28, 1945 - October 26, 2014
James C. Blacker, 69, of Caldwell, Idaho, died at home Sunday, October 26, 2014, from a pulmonary embolism.
Jim was born in Nampa, Idaho, on February 28, 1945, to T.C. and Lily (Cook) Blacker. He graduated from Caldwell High School and earned a degree in business from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was at BYU that he met his future bride, Sheri White, and they were married on December 16, 1967, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.
Jim, together with his brother Kyle Blacker, owned and operated Blacker's Complete Home Furnishings in Caldwell, which was later changed to Ashley Furniture HomeStore. During those years, Jim was part of Associated Volume Buyers (AVB), one of the largest member-owned buying groups in North America. He was elected by his peers to serve as national president from 1992 to 1996.
Jim was raised in Caldwell; he and Sheri raised their own family in Caldwell. He loved his community and served in various capacities to encourage and promote progress for the citizens and for the city. He was first elected to the Caldwell City Council in 2003, after being appointed in June of 2002. He served on Caldwell's Planning and Zoning Commission, Library Board, Friends of the Depot Board and the Economic Development Council, as well as serving in his most recent position as city council president.
Jim was active in the Boy Scouts. He volunteered with the Caldwell School District, the College of Idaho and the Rotary Club, where he was a member for almost 39 years and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1992.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At age 19, he left for Brazil to serve a two-year, full-time mission and always had a special appreciation for other missionaries. He served in numerous callings, including the office of bishop of his own ward. For the past several years, he had served alongside his wife, Sheri, as a temple worker in the Boise (Idaho) LDS Temple.
During his lifetime, Jim's favorite hobbies included softball, fishing, and pheasant hunting. He was the unofficial King of Ice Cream, and he unapologetically adored his mother's potato salad. He was never, ever, without a joke to share, and seldom missed an opportunity to engage in some gentle teasing. In his busy life, Jim let it be known that his most prized responsibilities were as husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family with all he did, and especially enjoyed doting on his 24 grandchildren. He could magically infuse a little more fun into every family gathering or vacation, with treasure hunts, guessing games, silly contests, sing-alongs, prizes, treats, etc. He was a giver of the best kind who was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Sheri, and five children: Becky (Steve) Larson of Caldwell; Tami (Dave) Downs of Caldwell; Greg (Tami) Blacker of Nampa; Pamela (Zach) Wagoner of Middleton; and Lisa (Jason) Pannell of Rexburg. He is also survived by three siblings and their spouses: Eileen (Wayne) Petersen of Boise; Kyle (Deborah) Blacker of Provo, Utah; and Janis (Ed) Reynolds of Lake Oswego, Oregon; in addition to 24 grandchildren; his wife's brothers and their wives: Lindon (Carol) White, Von (Pat) White, and Craig (LuAnn) White; many nieces and nephews, and several other cherished members of his large extended family. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Michael Blacker.
A viewing will be held on Sunday evening, November 2, 2014, in the Caldwell LDS Stake Center, 3015 S. Kimball Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Funeral services will be held at the same location, on Monday, November 3, at 11:00 am, under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel. There will also be a viewing just prior to the service, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Caldwell.