BLACKWELL

Clarence Vernon Blackwell Sr. was called to heaven on the Lords Date, July 20, 2003.  HE was
born to Joseph Vernon and Mary Catherine Tate Blackwell on October 27, 1918, in Lockhart,
Texas. Claude graduated from Lockhart High School in 1930. He entered the U. S. Army on
December 1, 1941, and left for overseas on August 20, 1942 where he was stationed in Iceland.
He was involved in the European Theater and trained in England until June 6, 1944, before
landing on Normandy Beach. Mr. Blackwell also served in Northern France, Rhineland, The
Central European Campaigns and the Supreme Headquarters at Munich Germany. He was
wounded in Luxembourg on January 245, 1945 by which he received the Purple Heart. While in
service he also received the American Defence Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with four Bronze
Starts, Good Conduct Medal, One Service Stripe, and six Overseas Service Bars. He returned to
the U.S. on September 18, 1945.
     Claude married Wanda Culton Stark in Portland, Texas, on October 2, 1945, and lived in
Lockhart for a short time. The couple welcomed a son, Claude Vernon Blackwell Jr. on July 15,
1946 in Corpus Christi. Claude worked for Humble Oil for a short time and then he and Wanda
moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he joined the Corpus Christi Police Department on
August 22, 1947; after 32 years of service he retired on July 31, 1979. Claude was a Charter
Member of the Corpus Christi Police Assc., Past Commander of the VFW Post 2397, in Corpus
Chisti, a life time member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S. Chapter 1919 of
Austin, Texas, and a member of the D.A.V. of WWII.
     Mr. Blackwell was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katherine Blackwell,
brothers Weldon (Johnny), Bruce (Etta Mae); sister Bessie Mae (Ross) Whiteside. Grandson
Claude Vernon Blackwell II.
     Mr. Blackwell is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wanda Stark Blackwell of Kingsland,
Texas, his son and daughter-in-law, Claude V. Blackwell Jr. and Nanette, his granddaughters
Kathy (Russell) Green, Kara Blackwell, Katina Blackwell, Kelle Jo (Gabriel) Salinas, all of Alice,
Texas, great grandsons, Bryant, Claude James & Mathew Reynolds, his great-granddaughter
Megan Green and great grandson, Russell Green all of Alice, Texas. Mr. Blackwell is also
survived by his brothers Jesse Thomas (Joybelle) Blackwell of Buchanan Dam, Texas, Robert
Morris (Maxine) Blackwell of Arlington, Texas, William Ray (Joyce) Blackwell of Rowlett,
Texas, and his sister, Ada Virginia (Earl) Gee, of Brownswood, Texas.
     Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 25, 2003 at The Kingsland Church
of Christ, Kingsland, Texas with Bro. Joe Blackstone officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeland
Hills Memorial Park.
     Arrangements by Edgar Funeral Home, Marble Falls, TX (8300 693-5808.