Edward Earl Blackwell

Edward Earl Blackwell, 86, of Panhandle, passed away peacefully and into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. 

Funeral Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Panhandle Church of Christ with Leonard Harper officiating. There will be a private burial in Panhandle Cemetery. Funeral services will be under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.

Ed was born on November 15, 1938, in Gorman, Texas to Elmer and Ruby Blackwell. He was raised on the family farm in the Chaney community southeast of Ranger, Texas. He graduated from Ranger High School in 1957. He attended Ranger Junior College and worked in Freeman Pecan Nursery and the Ivan Allen Ranch near Ranger. He graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. He obtained his teaching certificate after completing his practice teaching in Vo-Ag at Lovelady, Texas.

In October of 1961, he joined the Army National Guard and was called to active duty during the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis serving with the Armored Division through most of 1962. He continued serving in the National Guard for another 5 years serving at Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and Fort Hood, Texas.

In 1964, he moved to Hereford, Texas and became employed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. He worked 12 years in Hereford (Deaf Smith County), and 3 years in Friona (Parmer County).

He married Virginia Fulks, a blessing to him for 52 years, on July 9, 1971, in Friona, Texas. He was promoted to District Conservationist in 1979 at Panhandle (Carson County) where he, Virginia, and his son Jon moved from Hereford. He worked in Panhandle from 1979 to 1994. He received numerous awards for his leadership in this position. After his retirement in 1994, he was employed part-time at Stamps Spraying Service and Robinson Grain Company.

Ed was a member of the Panhandle Church of Christ. Being raised in the small community of Chaney where his dad led singing at the small Church of Christ, his dad encouraged him to be a bass singer with his low voice. He strived to do this throughout most of his adult life, singing with his family and church. He absolutely loved gospel quartet music, especially the Cathedrals, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, as well as songwriter and singer, Bill Gather.

One of his greatest blessings was watching his son Jon and grandsons Ryan and Tate play football and baseball, and he was able to attend many of their events. He also enjoyed gardening, especially growing tomatoes. But his real joy was sharing the fruits of his harvest with his family, friends, and community.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, his parents, his sister Maureen Eastland, brother Ray Blackwell, and brother Herman Blackwell.

He is survived by his son Jon and wife Heather of Amarillo, grandsons, Ryan of Friona, and Tate of Amarillo. He is also survived by his sister June Ice of Waco, his brother Virgil Blackwell and wife Dixie of Iowa Park, and his sister-in-law Donna Lee of Abernathy, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed’s name to High Plains Children’s Home 11242 Chapman Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79118.