Clarence E. Blackstock

Clarence “Blackie” Blackstock was born January 23, 1927, in Asheville NC to Clarence E. Blackstock, Sr. and May Carter Blackstock.  He received his BS in Forestry from NC State in 1948, served in the US Marines from 1951-1953, and earned his Masters of Forestry from Duke in 1959.  He met his future wife Joanne in 1955 at Dewey Beach, DE, but ever cautious, he only proposed in 1962.  After they were married, they moved to Oakhurst, CA for his work as a Forest Ranger.  He and Joanne welcomed their first child Kent in 1963, and their second, Dean, in 1966.  When Blackie was hired by the Tariff Commission in DC, they moved to Laurel, MD.  Over his lifetime he worked at the Department of Forestry and Parks, the Department of Energy, and retired from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 1989.

Blackie had the heart of a volunteer.  He was a long-time member of Laurel Presbyterian Church, served as a Deacon, and was involved with the LPC Seniors.  He was a longtime officer in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, serving as President on the By-Laws and Nominating committees, and most recently as the net coordinator.  He loved to travel, especially to see family in NC, PA and CO.

Blackie loved the outdoors, from the majestic Rockies to the humble backyard of his home.  He worried over the backyard birds, and bought special feeders so he could watch them.  He gardened and landscaped and loved to “putter,” as he put it, in nature.

Blackie died January 29th, leaving behind sons Kent and Dean and two grandsons.