Faces of the past that shall not be forgotten
By Staff
Bob Stickley
Guest Columnist
There are men and women who have served our city with dignity but are no longer with us.
But their memories live on.
John Blackwell is just such a person who I feel deserves some special recognition. John served as the mayor of Russellville for three terms and I feel if he hadn’t gotten sick, he would have won a fourth term.
John retired from the military and was a teacher for several years and also a coach at our schools here in Russellville.
Russellville’s first industrial park was named in his memory and it was an honor that was well deserved.
He was a very active member of the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council where he played a big part in the Roxy renovations, which are still ongoing, with the recent completion of two new dressing rooms in the rear of the theater.
The bricks in front of the Roxy Theater was a project of John Blackwell. He got the bricks from the old high school as it was torn down and moved them to the front sidewalk in front of the Roxy Theater.
John and two other men who played an important part in the current Roxy Theater were recently honored with a plaque in their honor which is displayed inside the theater.
Buddy Rogers, who donated the theater to the Franklin County Arts Council, and Roger Bedford, for his undying support and the great financial support, were both well deserving of recognition.
John Blackwell enjoyed pheasant hunting and made many successful hunting trips out west.
Whatever project he was involved in he would show much concern until its completion.
I met John several years ago and he and I became good friends. He was responsible for getting me on the arts council and we worked on many projects for the Roxy Theater.
I am proud to call him my friend and miss him, as I am sure others do.
I am certain that many folks have find memories of some family member or business acquaintance that has passed on and I don’t mean to place special recognition on any one particular individual, but fond memories remain.
