Barry Eugene Blackwell

Barry Eugene Blackwell was born on February 27, 1945, in Calgary Canada. He passed away peacefully at his home on February 5, 2026, at the age of 80 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

The son of Allen and Ida Blackwell, he spent most of his early years in San Antonio Texas. Barry was active in sports, church, and the Boy Scouts of America achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from San Antonio’s Central Catholic High School in 1963, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He attended Sam Houston University where he played collegiate basketball on scholarship for the Bearkats, was Corps Commander of the ROTC and a recipient of the ROTC scholarship, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi Business fraternity, and Scabbard & Blade. While at school in Huntsville he met the love of his life, Sandra Arnold, and they were married on August 27, 1966, in Palestine Texas. He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and commission as a second lieutenant in the United Stares Army.

He served in the Army for four years, stationed at various locations including service in Hawaii, on Johnston Atoll, and finally in Amarillo where he was honorably discharged in 1971 at the rank of Captain. He additionally served in the Army Reserves as a Major. His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. While in the reserves he attended Texas Tech School of Law in Lubbock Texas, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1974.

Upon graduation from law school, he moved to Dalhart, Texas to work at the law firm of Fike & Hunter, later joining with Bill Hunter to form the law firm of Hunter & Blackwell. In 1975, Barry was appointed as the District Attorney for the 69th Judicial District by Governor Dolph Briscoe. He served as District Attorney for Moore, Sherman, Dallam, and Hartley Counties from 1975 until 2002. Barry was proud of his more than a quarter century work as a prosecutor and felt honored to serve the people of the Northwest Panhandle and the great State of Texas. He was a member of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and a longtime supporter of law enforcement. He later moved to Amarillo in 2002 where he continued to practice criminal law and was a member of the Amarillo Defense Lawyers Association. In 2025 he was recognized by the State Bar of Texas for 50 years of service to the legal profession.

While living in Dalhart he was involved in many civic and community organizations including the Lion’s Club, served on the St. Anthony church counsel, was Chairman of the Cancer Crusade Kickoff, and was a teaching instructor for Frank Phillips College; in Amarillo he volunteered for many community and charitable groups, he was a former president of the 49ers Club, the Serra Club, on the board of the Holy Cross Catholic Academy, and honored to be a lector at his church, St. Thomas the Apostle. Barry also served as Past President of the St. Anthony's School Board in Dalhart. 

Barry loved traveling with his wife around the United States and enjoyed visiting other countries and experiencing different cultures. He was an avid runner and enjoyed building so many great friendships during his time with the Lone Star Runners Club of Amarillo. Barry loved sports his whole life, from his days playing youth baseball, basketball in college, and tennis and softball in Dalhart. He coached all of his children in youth sports, and he spent a lifetime collecting sports memorabilia, especially items from the great Yankee and Indians teams of his youth. In his retirement he treasured time with his grandkids, caring for his pets, and he loved gardening with his wife. And he enjoyed dinner parties and playing bridge with his friends whom he loved like family.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Sandra Blackwell of Amarillo; two children, his son Troy Blackwell of Amarillo and daughter Alexa and husband Chris Harden of Colorado Springs; eight grandchildren, Kelsey Peeples of Amarillo, Tatum and husband Dallas Isbell of Dalhart, Collin Blackwell of San Antonio, Avery Blackwell and Vaughn Blackwell of Austin, Sophia Harden, Asher Harden, and Ava Harden of Colorado Springs; and two beautiful great-granddaughters, Daisy and Florence. As well as bonus daughter in law, Natalie Peeples and children, Alden and Audrey Hobbs. Barry was preceded in death by his parents Allen and Ida Blackwell, his daughter Michelle Peeples and son-in-law Jay Peeples of Dalhart, and lifelong friends, Bill Hunter, Charlie Hennesey, John Colquitt, Gerald Burney, and Ed Craighead.

God surrounded him with love and had a plan for his life. Barry knew that life’s race doesn’t always go to the swiftest; he knew to run with perseverance the race marked out for him. Thanks to God’s divine love, grace, and generosity he lived a wonderful life, built a loving family, was able to dedicate himself to a career in the pursuit of justice, and was blessed with a loving marriage of almost 60 years. He met his health challenges late in life with the same Godly determination. He fought the good fight, he kept the faith, and he finished the race.

Special thanks from the family to Gentiva Hospice of Amarillo for their compassionate and dignified care, especially over these last few months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Twilight Cancer Fund in Dalhart Texas and the Alzheimer’s Association of West Texas.

A Vigil Service will be held on Thursday February 12, 2026, from 6pm-7pm at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 Coulter. A memorial mass to be held at 10:00 am on Friday February 13, 2026, at St Thomas the Apostle Church. Inurnment will follow at 3:30 pm Friday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Dalhart, Texas. Arrangements have been entrusted to Schooler Funeral Home of Amarillo