Jack Lafayette Blackwood

February 9, 2015 Jack Lafayette Blackwood passed away peacefully on the evening of February 9, 2015 due to natural causes. In his final hours, he was comforted by his wife and family in the Birmingham home. He was 87. Jack Blackwood was an only child, born on February 1, 1928 in the hills of Cleveland, Alabama to Talmage and Ada Blackwood (both deceased). He recalled fondly the heightened educational expectations at Woodlawn High School in the 1940s when his family moved into east Birmingham-"the city." Jack continued his education at Alabama Polytechnic University (Auburn). He arrived by train. In 1954 he married the love of his life, Sara Jo. His architecture degree was interrupted by a stint in the Air Force, during which time he made lifelong family friends in Texas. Jack was a practical, even-tempered man. He loved his wife, church, children and architecture. He worked as an architect for 40 years. Although he designed many schools, and even the first Milos, his proudest professional achievement was his own Japanese-inspired home with a blue roof on 12th Ave S/Clairmont Ave, which is well-recognized by Birmingham residents. He passed along his pragmatism and infectious smile to both of his sons-one a veterinarian and one an architect/engineer. Jack Blackwood is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sara Jo Kemp Blackwood; sons Jay and wife Ritchie, and Jeff; granddaughters Kellie Joyner, Mollie Blackwood, Tyler Rice, and Allison Blackwood; and great-grandsons Coy Joyner and Jackson Rice. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 11th at Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlor, 2116 University Boulevard, Birmingham AL 35233, at 5pm followed by a short memorial service. No flowers, please. Make donations to Amedisys Hospice (Attn: Jill, 2204 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 160, Homewood, AL 35209)