Jim Blackwell

James Allan “Jim” Blackwell Jr., age 57, of Knoxville passed into heaven unexpectedly on Saturday, November 18, 2018 while at home with his wife.

Jim graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis and attended Ole Miss to play for the Rugby team. After a year of study he transferred to play baseball for Coach Bobby Wilson at Carson Newman University, graduating with a Bachelors degree and a wife of 33 years. After an accomplished 20 year career at FedEx, he returned to school earning a Masters degree in Education. He taught for twelve years at Christian Academy of Knoxville and was presently teaching Broadcasting at Knoxville Catholic High School. Jim was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department, a passionate champion of the arts, fisherman, sportsman, coach, adventurer, seafood connoisseur, and fiercely loyal friend and family man. 

Jim is preceded in death by his father, James A. “Bubba” Blackwell and father-in-law, Samuel E. Bettis. He is survived by his wife Missy Blackwell; sons, Nicholas Allan Blackwell and wife, Victoria of Memphis, Samuel Travis Blackwell of Manhattan, New York; grandson, James Isaac Blackwell; mother, Jeannine Blackwell of Collierville, Tennessee; sisters, Dr. Laurie Blackwell Clark of Murfreesboro, brother-in-law Mike Clark of Byhalia, Mississippi; Dr. Jamie L. Blackwell of Collierville, Beth Cross and husband Chuck of South Haven, Mississippi; mother-in-law, Patsy L. Bettis of Charleston, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 20th at 1 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church with Father Doug Owens and Father Christopher Manning celebrants. The family will receive friends following the Mass. A Memorial Service will be held in Memphis at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift marked to continue his passionate work on the Irish Streaming Network at Knoxville Catholic High School