Richard Vincent Blackwell

Richard was born in Binghamton, New York, on May 10, 1965 to Gerard and Judy Walsh. Richard had fond memories of his travels as a kid with his grandpa Rowe. He was raised by his mother and step-father, Wilbur Blackwell, and spent his formative years in the Florida Keys where he came to love the ocean and the sunsets there. That is also where he met and married the mother of his 10 children, Carolyn, in 1984.

Richard worked hard his entire life. He spent many years cooking in hotels and restaurants in Florida, Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma. His firstborn son, Daniel, was born in south Florida while they were still living in the Keys. His second son, David, was born in Virginia 18 months later. Eighteen months after that he welcomed a third son, Brian, in Texas. His first daughter, Deborah, was born three years later in Texas. Then came his fourth son, Paul, a year later. His fifth son, John, was born the year after that in Oklahoma. And just 17 months later his second daughter, Michelle, was born. They waited three years and had their sixth son, Samuel. Then four years later a seventh son, Nehemiah, and the baby, Alexander, was born two years later. He dearly loved his children the best he knew how. He drove trucks over the road and locally for many years. He always tried his best to provide for them all, even to his own detriment at times. His work ethic lives on in his children now.

Richard was water baptized at Freedom Word Church in Virginia shortly after the birth of his first son. He always supported his kids in their faith in the Lord Jesus and anything and everything they wanted to do.

His heart was broken 19 years ago when his oldest daughter passed away and he desperately longed to be with her again. He still worked hard to support his kids and tried as best he could to love them in his brokenness.

During the pandemic in 2020 he fulfilled a lifelong dream to return to the Florida Keys. He lived on his sailboat for a few years before his health declined to the point that he could no longer live there on his own. He loved the serenity of the ocean and the feeling of once again being at home.

His final move was back to Tulsa where he breathed his last on February 5, 2026.

Richard is survived by his sons, Daniel (Michelle) Blackwell and their sons, Cayden & Malachi, of La Junta, CO. David Walsh of Jacksonville, FL. Brian (Amy) Blackwell and their son, Arden, of Tulsa, OK. Paul Blackwell of Comanche, TX. John Blackwell of Tulsa, OK. Daughter, Michelle Blackwell and her daughter, Peyton Taylor, of Tulsa, OK. Sons, Samuel Blackwell, of Jacksonville, FL. Nehemiah Blackwell, of Tulsa, OK, and Alexander Blackwell of Tulsa, OK. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Carolyn (Outlaw) Blackwell of Tulsa, OK. His mother, Judy Fleming, of Kingston, TN. His brother, John (Lynn) Blackwell of Green Lane, PA. And sister, Cat Blackwell, of Kingston, TN. He is also survived by his dear uncle, John Rowe, of Colorado Springs, CO, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Deborah Joy. As well as his brother, Stephen; his Aunt Mary, his father, step-father, and grandparents.

A family gathering will take place to remember him in Tulsa, OK, on Friday, February 13. He will be returned to his favorite place on earth, the coast of the Florida Keys, for the final time on Monday, February 16.

Memorial contributions can be made to John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa, or a charity of your choice.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus...

Therefore comfort one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 ,18 NASB1995