John M. Blackmon Jr.

John Morris Blackmon Jr (1934-2025)

John M. Blackmon Jr of Clemson, SC, aged 91, was born on March 15, 1934 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and passed away on April 15, 2025 after a short illness. He was the youngest son of John Morris Blackmon Sr (d. 1970) and Geanette [Neely] Blackmon (d. 2003) of Rock Hill. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, Waldo Neely Blackmon and Donald Lee Blackmon Sr.

John graduated from Rock Hill High School and Clemson University, , from which he received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1956, and where he was Class President and a member of the Corps of Cadets. He married Barbara [White] Blackmon on June 16, 1956; they were to celebrate 70 years of marriage next summer.

After a brief stint with Dupont in Ohio, John was stationed at the Toul-Rosières US Air Force Base near Rosières-en-Haye, France in the late 1950s. He and Barbara took full advantage of being in Europe and travelled widely, a passion they shared with their children. On his return to the US, John worked for General Electric then joined Heyward Incorporated of Charlotte, NC, where he rose to CEO before retiring and starting a consulting firm, Blackmon Inc. John had a long association with Duke Power Company [now Duke Energy] during his career at Heyward. He was active in both local and national professional and civic organizations, including the American Water Works Association.

John and Barbara lived in Charlotte from 1963 until 2008, when they moved to Clemson, SC. The couple were longtime members of St Luke's Lutheran Church in Charlotte, and more recently of University Lutheran Church in Clemson. They were also members of Carmel Country Club. John was a lifelong Clemson Tigers fan holding coveted 50-yard line seats for many years. In 2006, John helped lead the campaign to fund the ‘Class of 1956 Academic Success Center’ at Clemson University. John and Barbara, both passionate gardeners, were certified ‘Master Gardeners’ in South Carolina by the Clemson Extension Service. The couple were also avid hikers, trekking in New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, and the Spanish and French Pyrenees, while John also completed the 190 mile ‘Coast-to-Coast’ trek in England in 2001.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, and their four children, Dr Kathryn Blackmon of Oxford, England, John Blackmon and husband, John Roberson, of Austin, Texas, Robert Blackmon and partner Dr Qinyuan Li of Madison, Wisconsin, and Dr William Blackmon and wife, Dr Olivia Blackmon, of Alexandria, Virginia, and five grandchildren (Anna, Huit, Joseph, Abigail, and Amelia).

A service will be held to commemorate John’s life at University Lutheran Church, 111 Sloan Street, Clemson, at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, any donations should be directed to University Lutheran Church, Clemson or the Clemson University Class of 1956 Academic Success Center Program Enrichment Quasi-Endowment (https://iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving).