Michael Don Blackwell

On November 14, 2016, at the peak of the Supermoon, the world lost a Superman- 49 year old, Michael D. Blackwell. Although quiet by nature, at 6'5", Michael was larger than life. He was creative and talented, with a wickedly sharp sense of humor for which he was quite famous! He always had a way of attracting a crowd at family gatherings and parties, because he was either saying something hysterically funny...or, someone was in dire need of some SHADE!! ;)
Michael D. Blackwell was born July 11, 1967 in Altus, Oklahoma to Don and Sherry (Montgomery) Blackwell. In 1986, he graduated from Douglas High School in Gardnerville, Nevada. He served in the US Army from July 1988 until July 1991. He was called back to active duty in January 1992 in support of the Gulf War. He served with the 101st airborne division with an apache Helicopter unit out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After his discharge, he attended Northern Nevada Community College in Carson City, Nevada where he obtained his Associates degree. He worked for a time at the airport in Anchorage, Alaska, fueling commercial planes and float planes.
Michael was known for having impeccable taste: from books, to clothes, to food and interior design. He LOVED to cook inspiring gourmet dishes and could be a bit of a food snob from time to time, but thankfully we all learned so much from his absolute joy of cooking (Anthony Bourdain and Alton Brown were at the top of his list of super heroes after all!) He loved working with his hands, from making walking sticks and jewelry, to writing stories and poetry - a true romantic at heart! Michael was a great dad to his two kids, miniature dachshunds named Jager and Roxy. He only wished they could play Scrabble - another true love. Thanks Michael, for challenging us to be better Scrabble players, even though we practically NEVER beat you. Yes, we know how important it is to memorize those two letter words!
For the last several years, Michael suffered with heart valve issues and had two recent heart valve replacements. Private family celebrations will be held a later date in Altus, Oklahoma and Gardnerville, Nevada. Local arrangements and cremation are under the care of the Kincannon Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Blackwell. Survivors include his mother, Sherry Blackwell of Altus, OK; a sister and brother-in-law, Tracy Nunn and husband, Jim, and their children, Ali, Mandie and Wyatt of Portland Oregon; his long time love, Becky Barnes of Reno, NV; Uncles, Gary Montgomery of Friendship, OK, Neil Montgomery of Duke, OK, James Saladin and wife, Thelma, of Reno, NV and their daughters Anita, Diane and Jayne of Reno, NV; an aunt, Marietta Montgomery of Altus, OK; and numerous cousins throughout the U.S.
Michael will forever be in our hearts and we hope he is playing a stimulating game of Scrabble with his favorite poet/author Henry David Thoreau on the other side. Rest in Peace...
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or to your local animal shelter. Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com