Kenneth Blackman

Biography

Kenneth Laverne Blackman, 91, of Hillsboro passed away Tuesday morning, February 20, 2018, at Hill Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Danny Gilliam officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Meridian Cemetery in Meridian. Mr. Blackman will lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21.

Born September 1, 1926 in Hico, he was the son of Floyd and Irene (Doss) Blackman. He started school in Mustang and Cranfills Gap and went on to graduate as Salutatorian from Angleton High School. During World War II, he served his country in the United States Army. Kenneth married the love of his life, the beautiful Blanche Cummings, on December 15, 1946 in Morgan. Following their marriage, Kenneth and Blanche lived in every community in Bosque County except for two.

His love for horses, hunting, and fishing carried on throughout his life. Kenneth was a rodeo clown while in the Army in the Chicago area. He was the first secretary and helped organize the Wharton County Texas Rodeo Association in the 1940's. He was one of the original organizers and leaders of the Bosque County 4-H Riding Club in the 1960's. In the 1970's, Kenneth was instrumental in helping to organize and sponsor the Hillsboro Rodeo Team and the Hill Jr. College Rodeo Team. He also helped to organize and sponsor the Cranfills Gap Rifle Team which won first place in district competition at Stephenville. All of this involvement with the youth of Bosque and Hill counties meant many happy memories for everyone involved.

Kenneth also enjoyed studying history, reading, and treasure hunting in his spare time. He had so many wonderful hunting trips including those to Big Bend, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, and Nebraska, and right at home.

During his working career, Kenneth was a rancher and farmer, sold real estate, and built many buildings and homes around the Hillsboro, Cleburne, Grandview, and Fort Worth areas, plus others.

Preceding him in death were his son, Joe Blackman; parents; and brother, Jesse Blackman.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Blanche Blackman; three children, Joyce Kotulek and husband, Dennis, Rita Hanson and husband, Glenn, and Dan Blackman and wife, Kathy; nine grandchildren, Darren and Karen Hanson, Sarah Blackman Arbogast, Erica Blackman, Brent and Scott Kotulek, Susie Harisis, Leslie Gonzales, Rosalyn Rooks, and David Davis; 13 great-grandchildren, Wade and Marti Hanson, Bryan, Bryce, and Blake Kotulek, Rayden Corbin, Derik, Darrell, and Douglas Wheeler, Samantha and Laura Harrison, Sarah Shamlin and Jeremy Rooks; two great-great grandchildren, Dyson and Sky Wheeler; brother, Fenton Ray Blackman and wife, Nan; sister, Erna Irene Gossett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, P. O. Box 2081, Whitney, TX 76692 or charity of one’s choice.