Jesse Odell Blackwell

Jess was born February 27, 1946, in Spur, Texas to the late Betty Lois Blackwell and Odell Blackwell. He graduated from McAdoo High School. He attended South Plains College and Midwestern State University. Jess married Janis Eakin Blackwell, March 9, 1972. He played on the McAdoo High School basketball team which won state three years. He competed extensively in rodeos most of his life. He qualified for the American Junior Rodeo Association finals, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Finals, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association Circuit finals during his long career. Upon retiring from competition, Jess built an indoor arena near Iowa Park and produced rodeos in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico for ten years before starting a career as a crop insurance adjuster. He was a faithful member of Agape Church in Wichita Falls.

Jess is survived by his wife, Janis and two daughters, Justy Blackwell-Satterthwaite of Wichita Falls and Jody Blackwell of Dallas, Texas; brother, Darryl Blackwell of Snyder, Texas; nephew, Dell Blackwell of Houston, Texas; and niece, Darla Olive of Lubbock, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park. Services will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Faith Baptist Church of Iowa Park. Interment will follow at Electra Memorial Park under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice.