OBITUARY
Robert Wayne Blackford
May 27, 1947 – April 5, 2021
Robert "Bob" Wayne Blackford, 73, of Apex transitioned into eternal rest on Monday, April 5, 2021 at his home.
Bob was born in Pennsylvania on May 27, 1947 to the late Norman and Beulah (Storm) Blackford.
Bob had a decorated career in the United States Navy and finally retiring from the North Carolina Army National Guard. When Bob was home from the National Guard he was a servant protecting and helping his community as a Paramedic, spending over 20 years running with Apex EMS as well as with several agencies around Wake County. He also provided EMS services as a first aid volunteer with the Triangle Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Bob was an IBM employee for 30 years. He also coached his sons' sports teams and loved the Carpenters and Celtic music and his favorite radio station was 104.7 WPTK.
Bob is survived by his wife, Hope Blackford, and sons, Robert A. Blackford and Jeffrey E. Blackford along with several grandchildren whom he loved and adored. Bob is also survived by his brother James Blackford and his sister Linda Blackford.
A Memorial Service will be held in Bob's honor at 2:00pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. Apex, NC 27502. Bob's remains will be buried at sea by the United States Navy at a later date.
All are welcome to attend Bob's memorial with visitation to follow; the family kindly asks all attendees to wear a mask at all times and social distance when permitted.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob's memory to the Women's Center of Wake County, 400 W. South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Services
| 14 April |
Memorial Service2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Apex Funeral Home Chapel |
| 14 April |
Visitation3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Apex Funeral Home |
Memories
Robert Wayne Blackford
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYChick Davis
April 11, 2021
Having grown up with bob there are many great memories he will be missed
Peter Smith
April 10, 2021
For more than 20 years, Bob volunteered with our crisis response team, supporting the region's emergency service personnel and their loved ones. Bob deeply and generously cared for his brethren responders and their loved ones. With his big heart and a few select words, Bob capably comforted and made whole countless traumatized peers. It was my great privilege to know and work with Bob. I loved my dear friend.
Dr Peter J Smith
Chapel Hill
B Way
April 8, 2021
I worked with Bob at Knightdale EMS as a new EMT and through Red Cross as a First Aid member. Bob was a great teacher and will be missed.
Kathy Ellen
April 8, 2021
Bob was a great volunteer with the American Red Cross. We had some great times together working First Aid Stations. He was also a great friend to me and my husband(Keith) before Keith's death.
He will be greatly missed by many.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Ellen
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob on his wedding day 5 Nov 1989
FROM THE FAMILY
Birth Announcement
FROM THE FAMILY
Young Bob with brother Jim
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim, Linda, Bob Blackford (siblings)
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob, Linda, Jim Blackford (siblings)
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Kindergarten
FROM THE FAMILY
Kindergarten
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in 2nd Grade
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Middle School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in 9th Grade
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob High School Graduation
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob's High School Graduation Class Photo
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob Joins the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
US Navy Aviator 1968
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob Joins the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
"Me & My '57 in Front of My Apartment"
FROM THE FAMILY
1969 or 1970 Bob and Marion
FROM THE FAMILY
1971 12 30 Bob, Marion and son Bobby
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 Bob and Family
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 Bob and Family
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 With a Coworker at the IBM Plant
FROM THE FAMILY
1982 Bob and son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
1985 Blackford Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
1986 Bob at Home
FROM THE FAMILY
1986 Bob joins the NC National Guard
FROM THE FAMILY
1989 11 05 Bob and his sons at his wedding to Hope
FROM THE FAMILY
1990-1995 Bob and son Bobby at Apex EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob and family
Jeff Graduates Navy Boot Camp
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob, Hope, Jeff & Bobby
Woodhaven Baptist Church Directory
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob & Hope
Woodhaven Baptist Church Directory
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob on right in the shade of the door at
Lufkin Road Middle School Career and Truck Festival
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob Running with EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
1992 B D Bulldog the clown with
God's Funny Folks
FROM THE FAMILY
1993 Bob at son
Jeff's Graduation from High School
FROM THE FAMILY
1993 Bob with son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 10 Apex EMS Crews
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 Bob at a Family Celebration with Bobby, Jeff, and Marion
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 Bob with Apex EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
2000s Bob at
Jeff's Birthday Celebration at NASCAR
FROM THE FAMILY
2000s Bob with Knightdale EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
2001 09 08 Bob is Best Man at
Jeff's Wedding
FROM THE FAMILY
2001 09 08 Bob at
Jeff & Catherine's Wedding
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 01 Bob and Bobby on
Bobby's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 01 Bob with Jeff and Bobby on
Bobby's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 09 08 Bob
Apex Rescue Squad Portrait
FROM THE FAMILY
Christmas 2002 Bob gets his
Very First Red Wagon
I've never seen a grown man so exuberant about a gift!!!
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 12 25 Bob thanking wife Hope for
His New Radio Flyer Red Wagon
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 Bob with son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 08 03 Bob getting introduced to new grandchild Mackenzie with Bobby & Abbey
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 08 18 Bob with new granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 11 24 Bob with grandson Blake and son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 11 24 Bob and granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 04 08 Bob meets new granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 04 08 Bob with granddaughter Catie and grandson Blake
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 06 Bob comforting granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 08 Bob and granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 11 23 Bob with Mackenzie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 08 18 Bob with Granddaughter Mackenzie at the Zoo
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 08 12 Bob with Granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 11 23 Bob with New Grandson Talen Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 12 24 Bob with Blake and Catie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 03 17 Bob at grandson Talen's Christening with Bobby, Abbey and Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 30 BLACKFORD Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 Blackford Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 Blackford Family Reunion with Bob's sister-in-law Ellie and her granddaughter
FROM THE FAMILY
2008 Bob and Hope at grandson Dylan's Christening
FROM THE FAMILY
2009 01 03 Bob with new grandson Dylan
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob working as Paramedic at
Boy Scout Summer Camp
(5th from left, 3rd row from front)
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob at
Boy Scout Summer Camp
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob's Caricature
Drawn by a Knightdale EMS Coworker
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob's Caricature
Drawn by a Knightdale EMS Coworker
FROM THE FAMILY
2011 04 27 Bob with Jeff at his
Graduation from Fire Academy
FROM THE FAMILY
2012 Christmas with Mackenzie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2013 09 Trip to Arizona to visit Sister Linda
FROM THE FAMILY
2013 09 Trying on Hats from Stan Hope's Collection
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 Bob and the Mike Baio Family
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 06 Bob with grandson Talen at Georgia Aquarium
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 12 21 Trip to Grover Park Inn for the Gingerbread Competition
FROM THE FAMILY
2015 02 22 Bob Lookin' Good!
FROM THE FAMILY
2015 06 05 Bob's 50th High School Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 04 26 Bob & Hope at Catie's Dance Recital
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 05 30 Bob at Game Night with The Boys
(Matthew Mayne and John Vulk)
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 07 Bob, Mackenzie and Talen
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 Bob with Granddaughter
Mackenzie Lee Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2017 08 05 Bob with Hope Blackford on
Matt Baio's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2017 08 06 Bob In the Stocks at
Colonial Williamsburg
FROM THE FAMILY
2018 10 11 Pink Beard for October
FROM THE FAMILY
2018 12 23 Enjoying the Chinese Lantern Festival
FROM THE FAMILY
1991 Sunset in Al Nariya, Saudi Arabia
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob on his wedding day 5 Nov 1989
FROM THE FAMILY
Birth Announcement
FROM THE FAMILY
Young Bob with brother Jim
FROM THE FAMILY
Jim, Linda, Bob Blackford (siblings)
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob, Linda, Jim Blackford (siblings)
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Kindergarten
FROM THE FAMILY
Kindergarten
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in 2nd Grade
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Grade School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in Middle School
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in 9th Grade
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob High School Graduation
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob's High School Graduation Class Photo
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob Joins the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
US Navy Aviator 1968
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob Joins the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
Bob in the Navy
FROM THE FAMILY
"Me & My '57 in Front of My Apartment"
FROM THE FAMILY
1969 or 1970 Bob and Marion
FROM THE FAMILY
1971 12 30 Bob, Marion and son Bobby
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 Bob and Family
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 Bob and Family
FROM THE FAMILY
1975 With a Coworker at the IBM Plant
FROM THE FAMILY
1982 Bob and son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
1985 Blackford Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
1986 Bob at Home
FROM THE FAMILY
1986 Bob joins the NC National Guard
FROM THE FAMILY
1989 11 05 Bob and his sons at his wedding to Hope
FROM THE FAMILY
1990-1995 Bob and son Bobby at Apex EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob and family
Jeff Graduates Navy Boot Camp
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob, Hope, Jeff & Bobby
Woodhaven Baptist Church Directory
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob & Hope
Woodhaven Baptist Church Directory
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob on right in the shade of the door at
Lufkin Road Middle School Career and Truck Festival
FROM THE FAMILY
1990s Bob Running with EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
1992 B D Bulldog the clown with
God's Funny Folks
FROM THE FAMILY
1993 Bob at son
Jeff's Graduation from High School
FROM THE FAMILY
1993 Bob with son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 10 Apex EMS Crews
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 Bob at a Family Celebration with Bobby, Jeff, and Marion
FROM THE FAMILY
1994 Bob with Apex EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
2000s Bob at
Jeff's Birthday Celebration at NASCAR
FROM THE FAMILY
2000s Bob with Knightdale EMS
FROM THE FAMILY
2001 09 08 Bob is Best Man at
Jeff's Wedding
FROM THE FAMILY
2001 09 08 Bob at
Jeff & Catherine's Wedding
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 01 Bob and Bobby on
Bobby's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 01 Bob with Jeff and Bobby on
Bobby's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 09 08 Bob
Apex Rescue Squad Portrait
FROM THE FAMILY
Christmas 2002 Bob gets his
Very First Red Wagon
I've never seen a grown man so exuberant about a gift!!!
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 12 25 Bob thanking wife Hope for
His New Radio Flyer Red Wagon
FROM THE FAMILY
2002 Bob with son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 08 03 Bob getting introduced to new grandchild Mackenzie with Bobby & Abbey
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 08 18 Bob with new granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 11 24 Bob with grandson Blake and son Jeff
FROM THE FAMILY
2004 11 24 Bob and granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 04 08 Bob meets new granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 04 08 Bob with granddaughter Catie and grandson Blake
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 06 Bob comforting granddaughter Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 08 Bob and granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2005 11 23 Bob with Mackenzie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 08 18 Bob with Granddaughter Mackenzie at the Zoo
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 08 12 Bob with Granddaughter Catie
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 11 23 Bob with New Grandson Talen Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2006 12 24 Bob with Blake and Catie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 03 17 Bob at grandson Talen's Christening with Bobby, Abbey and Mackenzie
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 30 BLACKFORD Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 Blackford Family Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2007 07 Blackford Family Reunion with Bob's sister-in-law Ellie and her granddaughter
FROM THE FAMILY
2008 Bob and Hope at grandson Dylan's Christening
FROM THE FAMILY
2009 01 03 Bob with new grandson Dylan
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob working as Paramedic at
Boy Scout Summer Camp
(5th from left, 3rd row from front)
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob at
Boy Scout Summer Camp
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob's Caricature
Drawn by a Knightdale EMS Coworker
FROM THE FAMILY
2010s Bob's Caricature
Drawn by a Knightdale EMS Coworker
FROM THE FAMILY
2011 04 27 Bob with Jeff at his
Graduation from Fire Academy
FROM THE FAMILY
2012 Christmas with Mackenzie Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2013 09 Trip to Arizona to visit Sister Linda
FROM THE FAMILY
2013 09 Trying on Hats from Stan Hope's Collection
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 Bob and the Mike Baio Family
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 06 Bob with grandson Talen at Georgia Aquarium
FROM THE FAMILY
2014 12 21 Trip to Grover Park Inn for the Gingerbread Competition
FROM THE FAMILY
2015 02 22 Bob Lookin' Good!
FROM THE FAMILY
2015 06 05 Bob's 50th High School Reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 04 26 Bob & Hope at Catie's Dance Recital
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 05 30 Bob at Game Night with The Boys
(Matthew Mayne and John Vulk)
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 07 Bob, Mackenzie and Talen
FROM THE FAMILY
2016 Bob with Granddaughter
Mackenzie Lee Blackford
FROM THE FAMILY
2017 08 05 Bob with Hope Blackford on
Matt Baio's Wedding Day
FROM THE FAMILY
2017 08 06 Bob In the Stocks at
Colonial Williamsburg
FROM THE FAMILY
2018 10 11 Pink Beard for October
FROM THE FAMILY
2018 12 23 Enjoying the Chinese Lantern Festival
FROM THE FAMILY
1991 Sunset in Al Nariya, Saudi Arabia