Gary Ronald Blackbird

Gary Ronald Blackbird, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024. Ronny as everyone knew him by, was born November 26, 1938, to Robert Blackbird and Mabel (Biehl) in Hollywood, CA. In 1941 they moved to Seminole, OK where he grew up and graduated from Seminole High School. It was there when he met the love of his life, Donna (Oliver). They married in 1956 and stayed together for 63 years.
In 1959 they moved to Del City, OK to start a family and find work. He learned the trade of painting cars and started working at Hudiburg Chevrolet in Midwest City. There he became a well-known painter for his quality of paint jobs he would create. Ron painted race cars, dragsters, motorcycles and just about anything made with metal. After a few years of painting he and a few friends got a job at Lee Way Freight where he rebuilt wrecks and painted semitrucks.
After 26 years of working at Lee Way the company closed. Ron then went to work at the state capital where he worked building and repairing anything to do with woodworking, which was his second profession and loved doing. Ron built many things at the state capital that are still used today. His woodworking skills matched his painting skills. Ronny was a perfectionist at everything he did.
In 1970 he decided to start coaching little league baseball because they did not have enough coaches that years. In 1973 Ron built a team that ended up winning the Little League World Series in Mexico City. They defeated Venezuela 4-1. That team ended up with a record of 65-5 for the year. He was so proud of those young athletes. He loved all of them like his own kids and keep in touch with many of them thru the years.
Ronny and Donna Enjoyed traveling for many years with the RV club they were a member of, traveling to many national parks in the U.S. They would rest at their place at Lake Eufaula, fishing and visiting friends, staying a month at a time.
Ronny is survived by his sons Gary and Barry; stepbrother Lyle and spouse Kay Hall; grandkids Lorelie, Barry, Nickolas and Paige; 5 great-grandkids; and many cousins.
Ronny was a great father, husband and friend. He will be deeply missed.
The family would like to thank Mid-Del Skilled Nursing and Bristoe Hospice for the great care they gave to Gary.