James Frederick Blackwell

James Frederick "Jim" Blackwell, 84, passed away on August 12th, 2025.

James (Jim) was born in Murphy, OK and moved to Kern County as a child. He traveled from Oklahoma to California at the tail end of the "Dust Bowl Days", settling with his family in the Sunset Labor Camp in the mid-1940's. He learned his excellent work ethic early, working in the agricultural fields south of Bakersfield. By age 8, he was picking crops after school, earning money for his family and, if he was lucky, a little spending money for himself.

Jim graduated from Arvin High School in 1958, then served in the US Marines until 1962. That same year he married Deloris Gloria Luttrell, also an Arvin High graduate. Jim & Gloria moved into their East Bakersfield home in 1965. Over the next 60 years, they raised their family and shared a life together there until Jim's passing.

After earning his AA from Bakersfield College, Jim went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from CSU, Bakersfield, going to school at night while also working full time & providing for his family. His love for learning led him to continue taking college classes, just for fun and the sake of knowledge, for decades.

Jim worked as a surveyor for CalTrans (then called the California Division of Highways). He enjoyed this outdoor work and used the skills he learned to complete numerous landscaping and backyard projects over the years.

Later, Jim became a technician at Golden Bear Oil Refinery in Bakersfield, Ca, where he worked for over 30 years. After retirement, he was called back many times as a consultant, being the only person who knew how to run/correct the systems and machines.

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking and bicycling all over California. For his 60th Birthday, he climbed Mount Whitney, a proud accomplishment. His love for nature was his only religion, and he had a passion for this planet. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" was a way of life for him and for our family, well before it was a familiar slogan.

Jim also had a passion for Native American Culture and devoted decades of his life to Archeology and studying Native American History. He was a member of the Archaeological Society of Kern County for many years.

Jim was a beloved soccer coach, beginning with AYSO in the late '70's and then on to Club Soccer, leading the Bakersfield Lasers to 19 trophies. His regular sacrifice for a rag-tag group of teenagers playing Club soccer in the 1980's is unforgettable. Encouraging his players to work, push and win, he led his teams to success and taught them priceless lessons about teamwork and dedication, all the while leading by example. Jim often hosted/sponsored players during out-of-town tournaments when they might otherwise not have been able to go.

Jim loved tending his spacious garden, growing the tastiest tomatoes, peppers, and garlic - then annually turning those into a most delicious salsa that was coveted by family, friends, and friends of friends! Papa Jim's salsa was a treasure!

Father, Papa, Family, Friend, Lifelong Learner, Coach, Mentor, and overall Good Man...Jim will be missed.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Deloris Gloria "Pinky" Blackwell; daughter Sandra Blackwell (Oxnard, CA); Son Michael Blackwell (Seattle WA); grandchildren Jacob "Jake" Wilson (Pittsburgh PA), Lauren "Lou" Wilson (Oxnard, CA); brother John Blackwell (Lamont CA) and brother-in-law Jack (Jeanne, d.) Stewart (Bakersfield, CA).

James Frederick Blackwell January 13, 1941 - August 12, 2025 Bakersfield -