John Donald Blackford

John was born on August 5, 1931 in Stigler, Oklahoma to Frank and Elra Blackford. His family soon after moved to Poteau, OK. His first job was at the local newspaper, which his parents owned, the Poteau News. John left his home at age 14 for California, only to return to Oklahoma and leave yet again at age 16, alone and on a train, to finish school in Oregon and live with his elder sister, graduating from Scappoose High School in 1948. It was at this time John made the decision to remain in Oregon and start a family of his own.

After High school, John got a job in Lennox at a local box factory. While at work one day, John’s coworkers asked him if he had seen one of the new hires, who he was told was a very cute gal and well worth seeking out. John did find this new hire, named Elmyra Hare, who he was so enamored by that he ultimately convinced to elope with him to romantic Kelso, WA in 1951. Myra and John had three children, Ronald, Johna and Vicci, and remain married, now and forever.

In 1956, John accepted a job as a temporary worker for the Post Office. A job that was only supposed to last three months turned into a thirty-year career that allowed him to provide a good life for his family. John started out carrying mail on a full foot route, and had a variety of Postal jobs such as route inspector and Supervisor, ultimately retiring as the beloved Station Manager of historic Parkrose in Portland. On one occasion John was the only Carrier to show up for work on an extremely bad snow day, showing his remarkable dedication to his job and community.

John also applied himself to radio broadcasting, and got a job at local radio station KPDQ. After only a few days of being an on-air personality, his managers pulled him from the booth due to his thick Okie accent being too strong for Oregon ears. Not to be deterred, John remained with the station and worked the audio board behind the scenes.

One constant in John’s life was his dedication to the cultivation of roses. His rose bushes were proudly in bloom and blazing with color right up to the final day he spent with us at his home.

The most valuable activities to John were the ones he pursued throughout his entire life. He famously mastered the construction and operation of HAM and shortwave radios, which were in every vehicle he was to own. He also enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, camping, and later in life, bowling. A treasure hunter at heart, John was also an avid metal detector, and took every opportunity he could to share his passion with his grand children and great-grandchildren.

John often went to great lengths to improve his mastery over subjects that interested him. He attended night school courses with daughter Johna to learn more about photography, and later built and installed a professional dark room in his home to develop their pictures. He was also a skilled jeweler, and was proud of the silver and turquoise jewelry he made with son Ron. John also excelled at the use of tools, carpentry, and as an electrician. He used his skills as an accomplished craftsman to build from the ground up a structure with daughter Vicci which remains proudly standing to this day 25 years later. Having at one time the ambition to become a science teacher, John truly was a well-rounded jack of all trades with broad interests and talents.

As the patriarch of a large extended family, John led many cross-country RV trips, trips to Canada and Hawaii, and a guided Tour in Europe with his wife Myra. John also enjoyed hosting his family and friends at his beach house near Lincoln City, and frequently could be found on mornings combing the local beaches for glass globes and agates that washed ashore.

Above all else, John Blackford was a dedicated and faithful Christian man. He was not hesitant to tell anyone that he was saved and brought to the Lord at the age of 19 by his then-girlfriend Myra. John went on to spend the rest of his time teaching and living the Good News that made such an impact on his destiny. His mastery over the Bible, which can only come through disciplined and repeated studying, was without parallel. He continued to insist on at least reading a chapter per day, which became even more impressive as he continued it zealously even while slowly losing his eyesight. He became a deacon in his church, and led a long-time Bible study at Sunday School for the elders. He attended faithfully with wife Myra and children every Sunday, Sunday night and Wednesday, as well as held family altar every Friday. John also dedicated at least one hour a week to his prayer list, which he added to and focused on until the very end of his life. John was also able to witness the baptism of his granddaughter Jenn, her four children, and her own grandchildren in this very church.

John lost his wife of 60 years in 2011. As the youngest of six siblings, John was the last surviving child or spouse of a child from his parents. His family strongly believes this longevity is a testament to his faith and his dedication to caring for his own health in order to continue to be here for his family and spread the Word of God.

John Blackford is survived by his three children Ronald Blackford (Tina), Johna Blackford, and Vicci Harmon; by his six grandchildren Jenn, Jacob, Anna, Tabitha, Anthony and Becky; his 11 great grandchildren Ashley, Nakytia, Akasha, Abbygail, Kenneth, Darrell, Marcella, Imani, Jeffrey Jr., Selena and Anthony Jr.; and by his five great-great grandchildren: Henry, Ezekiel, Bearakiah, Hazel and Sophia.