BLACKFORD, Homer F. (1924-2012)

BLACKFORD

Posted By: Don Boucher (email)
Date: 12/9/2012 at 10:49:55

Obituary from The Des Moines Register newspaper, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA on 8-24-2012:

Homer Francis Blackford, Jr. died peacefully on August 23, 2012 at Iowa Health Hospice-Taylor House in Des Moines, IA. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Monday, August 27 at Iles Funeral Homes-Grandview Park Chapel. Burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Homer was born in Des Moines in March 14, 1924 to Homer Francis Blackford, Sr. and Eloise Kieler Blackford. He graduated from Dowling High School in 1942. Homer married Anna Thompson in 1944. They raised ten children in their Eastside home. Homer, with his wife, was a concessionaire at the Iowa State Fair for over 50 years, helping to earn extra money for his children's education. Homer was a tireless, hard worker and a very loyal, dependable husband and father. Homer loved airplanes and had a small craft pilot's license before he started raising children. Like his father before him, Homer was a lifelong Teamster (Local 147), who worked for many trucking companies in Central Iowa. He retired in 1986 after a career that spanned over 40 years in the trucking industry. He was employed by Bruce Motor Freight, Mid American Truck Lines and Roadway. Homer had the great fortune to travel during his retirement to Alaska, Canada, England and all over the USA.

Homer Blackford and his wife, Anna Blackford, are survived by their children, Linda (Dick) Hill, Carl (Dawn), Nancy (Mike) Schrader, Steve (Karen), Dennis (Kathy), Gary (Kathy), Tim (Betsy), Gregg (Stacy), Cherie (Dan) Schuler and Brian (Jenny). Homer was blessed with 27 grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Marybelle Dennis, Carl "Pat" Blackford and Becky Solem. Homer was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his grandson, Steven Blackford, Jr.; and two sisters, Marilyn Bence and Judy Cronn.

Homer's philosophy on children was, "There is always room for one more." The Blackford children feel very blessed to have had a father who was so dedicated to them and who showed them an example of hard work, devotion and family loyalty. They are especially grateful to him for his many sacrifices to all of them over the years. Homer was a good man and a dependable provider. They were lucky to have him as their father.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Dowling High School.