Sam Donald Blackwell

Decatur ~ Sam Donald Blackwell, 97, a supervisor, went to be with our Lord Tuesday, November 24, 2015 in Decatur.

Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home.

Rev. Ken May and Gerre Joiner will officiate. Pallbearers include Eric Leonard, Bart Leonard, Brett Bethurum, Grant Bethurum, Robert Holder, and Sam Leonard.

Sam was born on September 15, 1918 to Horace Eugene and Opel (Norwood) Blackwell in Willspoint, Texas. He was united in marriage to Opal Marion in Grand Prairie, Texas for 57 years until her passing June 2, 1995 he was united in marriage to Addie Bohn on September 23, 1995 in Decatur until her passing on September 15, 2015.  Sam retired from Poco Graphite after 27 years of service.  He was a highly decorated soldier serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. Sam entered service on June 20, 1944, assigned to the Army, 2nd Infantry Division. He served in the European Theater from December 9, 1944, to July 20, 1945. Sgt. Blackwell received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Citation, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and one Cluster, ETO Ribbon and three Battle Stars, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and Victory Ribbon. Sam was Discharged November 13, 1945.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Opal Marion Blackwell and Addie Bohn Blackwell; his sister, Lillie Sullivan; his brothers, Gene, Homer, and Phil Blackwell.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his daughters, Barbara Bethurum and husband Jerry of Decatur, and Donna Leonard and husband Gil of Azle; his grandchildren, Brett Bethurum, Lisa Bethurum and husband Roger Pickett, Faith Bethurum, Grant Bethurum and wife Maria Durand, Bart Leonard and wife Renee, Eric Leonard and his wife Michelle; his great grandchildren, Robert Holder and wife Stephanie, Crystal Holder, Ellisha Doolen, Arin Satterthwaite, Haley Axom and husband Kalo, Ian Satterthwaite, Opal Rayne Leonard, Sam Leonard, Nicole Leonard, Kai Samuel Bethurum;  his great great grandchild, Hayden Wofford;  numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home, Decatur, Texas, 940-627-5959

www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com