David Ray Blackmon

David Ray Blackmon was a United Methodist minister who devoted his life to his family, his church, and his God. David received his Master of Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology in 1980 and began his life of service in 1971 at three small churches in Terrell, Poetry, and Elmo, Texas. During his 50 years of ministry, he served a total of 12 churches in the North Texas Conference and three churches in the Texas Conference. He was a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration to his colleagues and congregations.

David was the oldest son of Dallas Ottway and Lorene Prewitt Blackmon and was born in Dallas, Texas on June 11, 1941. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas where he met his wife to be, Kathy Cason. David performed in several high school musicals with the lead role in "Carousel" in his senior year.

After graduating in 1959, he joined the US Navy and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. Toward the end of the Viet Nam war, the ship was deployed to the coast of that country but saw no action. David married Kathy Cason, his high school sweetheart while home on leave in 1960. After serving two years active duty, David was discharged in 1961. He continued in inactive status for the next two years while working in the airline industry.

David joined the Irving Police Department in 1963. He was the first officer that Irving sent to the Dallas Police Academy. Following graduation, he served on the Irving police force for several years. He then transferred to the Terrell Police Department.

While in Terrell, David began feeling God's call to ministry. He was convinced that he could not do what he knew God was asking him of him; however, God's call was not to be denied. In 1971, David began the under graduate work required for his eventual masters program. He graduated with a Masters Degree from Perkins School of Theology in 1980.

While in school, he received his first appointment in 1971 and served three small churches in and around Poetry, Texas. He went on to serve these United Methodist Churches, some of them twice: Glendale in Dallas, Bagwell in Detroit, Axe Memorial in Garland, Southwood in Oak Cliff, Oak Park in Paris, First United Methodist in Lancaster, Chapel Hill in Farmers Branch, Trinity in Duncanville, Oak Cliff in Oak Cliff, Kavanaugh in Greenville, and Trinity in Dennison. All these churches were in the North Texas Conference.

David attempted retirement in 2003, and he and Kathy moved to their retirement home on Lake Frankston in East Texas. A few days later, David was contacted by the District Superintendent in the Texas Conference and asked to serve two small churches for a few months. A few months turned into eight years that David served Neches UMC and Fields Chapel UMC, retiring for the second time in 2017.

Kathy and David moved from their beloved lake home in 2017. God selected their next home, Axe Memorial UMC in Garland where David was offered an associate position that he happily accepted. He retired for the third time in 2020, and he and Kathy moved to Sulphur Springs to be closer to their children; however, they soon decided that a retirement community offered amenities and assistance that they required. They selected The Hamptons in Tyler. David's health continued to deteriorate and after a long hospital stay, he succumbed to his infirmities. He answered God's call for the last time, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25:21, and he peacefully went to his heavenly home on Monday, November 8, 2021. Kathy will continue to live at The Hamptons Assisted Living Community in Tyler.

David and Kathy raised a family of three children: Karry Dawn Blackmon Bailey (husband Robert), David Lee Blackmon (wife Barbara), and Daniel Wade Blackmon. Grandchildren are Jennifer Freeman, Ashley Bailey, Jonathan King, Robert (Drew) Blackmon, Kacie Henry, Seth Blackmon, Warren Blackmon, Cade Blackmon, and Daniel Blackmon. Great grandchildren are Rebecca Beyer, Jackson Fisher, Savannah Fisher, Caden Bailey, Camrin Bailey, Dallie Rae King, June Mienke Blackmon, Braelynn Henry, and Colsen Henry.

Inurnment will be at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery on November 17 at 9am. A memorial service will follow at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. in Garland.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be sent in David Blackmon's name to the Ministries of Axe Memorial United Methodist Church, 1700 West Kingsley Rd, Garland, TX 75041.