Jerry Blackburn

Jerry Blackburn, beloved husband, devoted father, loving grandfather, accomplished civil engineer, and faithful servant of both his community and church, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, in Tyler, Texas, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was 90 years old.

Jerry was born on July 2, 1935, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, where he was raised and developed a strong foundation of faith, character, and integrity that would guide his life and shape his future family's lives. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1953, where he was an active student leader and a proud member of the Tiger football team.

He continued his education at Kilgore College, earning his associate degree in 1955 and serving as a yell leader for the KC Ranger athletic teams. He then attended the University of Texas, where he received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1958, beginning a distinguished career marked by precision, industriousness, and excellence.

Jerry began his professional career with the Louisiana Department of Highways, District 4 in Bossier City, Louisiana on June 2, 1958. Jerry was a registered professional engineer and registered land surveyor. His career with the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (LDOTD) encompassed 29 years of service as Senior Project Engineer, Assistant Construction Engineer, and Resident Construction Engineer, in which he led two district offices for Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Red River, and Webster Parishes. As Project Engineer, he played a significant role in the development of Interstate 20, overseeing the construction of the corridor spanning from the Texas state line east across Northwest Louisiana. Jerry's civil construction work under President Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1956 National Interstate and Defense Highways Act built a major portion of interstate highway, radically transforming American transportation, suburban development, and economic growth. His highway construction work continues to serve countless travelers today. Following his retirement from LDOTD, Jerry served as Assistant Director of Construction for the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) in District 10 in Tyler, Texas from 1987 until his retirement from TXDOT in 2003.

On November 8, 1958, Jerry married the love of his life and best friend, Paula Nell Hutchings of Winfield, Texas. Together, they shared 60 years of marriage marked by unconditional love, unwavering devotion, and a shared commitment to their faith in Jesus Christ and to their two sons, Jonathan Bret and Jeffrey Blair, along with their daughter-in-law, Michelle. Jerry believed his greatest role was that of grandfather to Taylor Hackney, Elizabeth Blair, and Jonathan Parker.

Jerry and Nell made their home in Minden, Louisiana, where they faithfully served for many years at First Baptist Church Minden. Jerry was a dedicated deacon and, alongside Nell, invested in the next generation as a Sunday School teacher and Training Union leader for high school students. Their lives were a testimony of Christ-centered service, leaving a lasting spiritual legacy in the lives of many. As Chairman of the Deacons at FBC Minden and Building Committee Chairman, he led the design and construction of the new church sanctuary, which still stands today as the center of worship for the church. Faithful to his calling as a deacon, Jerry modeled a heart for God's people by delivering food to and performing yardwork for senior adults, widows, and single mothers. In Tyler, the Blackburns were committed members of Green Acres Baptist Church.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Bret Blackburn and Blair Blackburn and his wife, Michelle; grandchildren, Taylor Blackburn and his wife Haley, Elizabeth Blair (Blackburn) Fetrow and her husband Chase, and Parker Blackburn. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Darla (Hutchings) Cargile and her husband Rodney; brothers-in-law, Ben Hutchings and his wife Tonya, Don Hutchings and his wife Joyce; nieces, Susie (Blackburn) Regan and Patty (Blackburn) States, and nephew, Danny Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Erma (Johnson) Blackburn; his brothers, Bill, Rayford, and Jack Blackburn; sisters-in-law, Jerry Ann (Hutchings) Amerson and Cheryl (Hutchings) Stephens; brothers-in-law Doug Hutchings and Carlos Hutchings, and Jerry's beloved wife, Paula Nell (Hutchings) Blackburn.

Jerry will be remembered for his steadfast faith, gentle spirit, and servant-hearted leadership. He lived with humility, worked with diligence, pursued excellence, and loved with sincerity. His legacy is one of quiet strength, faithful service, and enduring impact on all who knew him.

A private memorial graveside service was held for the family in Tyler. Pallbearers are his grandsons, Taylor Blackburn and Parker Blackburn; grandson-in-law, Chase Fetrow; brothers-in-law, Ben Hutchings, Don Hutchings, Rex Amerson, and Rodney Cargile.

In lieu of flowers, the Blackburn family suggests that donations could be made in memory of Jerry to East Texas Baptist University. If you would like to make a memorial gift, go to www.etbu.edu/give and indicate that the gift is for the Jerry and Nell Blackburn Servant Leader Scholarship.