Daniel Charles Blackwell

Daniel “Dan” Charles Blackwell was born on August 26, 1961, in Ada, Oklahoma to Wilburn Tilman “W.T.” Blackwell and Mildred Willis Blackwell. He was the youngest of W.T. and Mildred’s children: Anita, James, Ronald, and Daniel. Danny grew up on a farm near Stonewall, Oklahoma, and enjoyed playing baseball. We called him Dan “The Man” because, much like Stan “The Man” Musial, Dan ate, slept, and breathed baseball. He and his older brother Ron spent hours playing with a tennis ball, wiffle ball, walnuts, whatever they could get their hands on. They even built a baseball field to-scale in the pasture where they practiced until their mother called them in.

Dan was six years younger than Ron, but he could compete with him. His class went to State all four years, finishing runner-up three consecutive times and winning it all his senior year. Selected to All-State in 1979 as a shortstop, he played in the North-South game at ORU. Later, he was on the team for Byng American Legion, and Seminole Junior College recruited him. Dan was frequently in the newspaper for his heroics, hitting over thirty-three home runs with a .374 batting average during his high school career. He also played on the basketball team, but he said it was just to stay in shape for baseball. Dan graduated from Stonewall High School in 1979 and attended Seminole Junior College.

He had a keen interest in World War II—his dad W.T. Blackwell was a decorated veteran of the Philippine theater. Dan was also a creative writer. His sister encouraged him to write about family stories. Dan compiled a couple of articles about two well-known televangelists who visited his parents’ home at the beginning of their ministries in the early 1970s. Although they came at separate times to preach at Dan’s home church, they both wound up in the Blackwell home for Mildred’s cooking.

Dan had an impressive memory, knowing the names of the members of every rock group from his teen years and all their songs. He could recount details that had happened in his life decades previously and remember what the weather was like that day, what he wore, and even what he ate for lunch. The passage of time did not affect his recall of memories or events.

Any chance he could take Dan would go see his favorite bands perform live in concert. Among the top favorites were The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, U2, The Who, and Tom Petty as evident by his numerous collections of concert tickets, vinyl, 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, pins, posters, t-shirts and countless notepads full of song titles and lyrics. His love for music was undisputable.

Dan was a third-generation delivery driver. He lived most of his adult life in Oklahoma City, where he worked for UPS, FedEx, and as a commercial driver contractor for the Gibson Family. He retired early to enjoy life. Thank you to Peter Faraone, Phil Harting, James Heil, and Mark Horn for the friendship you shared with Dan. You guys are his brothers also, he cherished you. 

Anyone that had the privilege to step inside Dan’s home, instantly knew he was a sentimental guy. His home was full of memorabilia. He cherished his belongings, meticulously taking care of all his possessions. He lived in his apartment for 27+ years forming life-long friendships: sharing a special bond with the staff Peter “Pete” Faraone and Michelle “Chelle” White with whom he would talk for hours with throughout the week.

Dan was always the first to show up at gatherings, and the last to leave. Making sure everything was cleaned up and better than he found it. He enjoyed a good game of darts and humbly won most of them defending his dart championship trophy titles

Loving adventure, he recently met up in Arkansas with Cousin Julie Tingle and her husband Tony from California and friend Phil from Oklahoma to view the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse. He was passionate about what was going on in the world, spending hours researching current events to compare with end-time prophecies in the Bible. Dan did not shy away from sharing his research with others.

Dan was a huge fan of the 2023 World Series champions, the Texas Rangers. Just a few days before he met his appointment with God, Dan and one of his closest friends Phil Harting got to see them play in person. It was quite a week because they watched the game on their way home from Houston where they attended The Rolling Stones concert, his favorite band, golfed, attended museums, enjoyed delicious food and more. We are so happy Dan got to do all his favorite things with one of his favorite people. 

Daniel “Dan” Charles Blackwell, 62, suffered a coronary event and went to be with his Savior on May 8, 2024, in Oklahoma City. More important to him than baseball, golf, darts, rock groups, eclipses, World War II, or news was his relationship with the Lord. Dan was prepared to go home. His utmost desire was that all his family and friends would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior—he had an extensive prayer list of people that he prayed for daily. He is now in the presence of God, enjoying his greatest adventure to date.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents W.T. and Mildred Blackwell, his beloved brother James “JW/J.DUB” Blackwell, his grandniece and grandnephew Jessa and Ezra Cumberbatch.

He is survived by his sister Anita Blackwell Robertson of Aqaba, Jordan, his brother Ron Blackwell (Donna) of Oklahoma City; his nieces Alisa Martinez (Simon) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Melanie Norton (Johnny) of Noble, Oklahoma, Jamie Blackwell of Madill, Oklahoma, Karie Blackwell of Ardmore, Oklahoma and Starla Cumberbatch (Paul) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his nephews Aaron Robertson (Brandy) of Hillsboro, Texas, Skylor Blackwell of Bethany, Oklahoma, Jett Blackwell of Newalla, Oklahoma, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He had a special friendship with Charlotte Shores of Wilson, Oklahoma, former sister-in-law (JW). They talked nearly every day over the past twelve years. Leaning on each other through life’s toughest challenges. Dan was looking forward to rekindling his relationship with his stepsons Jared Clifford of Phoenix, Arizona and Daniel Clifford of Ada, Oklahoma.

Congrats Dan on your call-up to the “Bigs” you made it to the Major Leagues…well played!!!

Please sign the guestbook below, sharing your stories of Dan and any photos you have with or of him. His family is planning a future celebration of life. For more details, please send an email to: TheBlackwellFamilyLegacy@gmail.com