Robert Lee “Bob” Blackwell II, 74, of Beaumont, died Sunday, September 21, 2014, in Beaumont. Robert was born on June 22, 1940, in Rosebud, Texas, to Clover Lee Arrington and Robert Lee Blackwell, Sr. of San Antonio. His dearest friend and step-father for over twenty years was Dr. John Will “Bill” McCall, Jr., his mother’s last husband.
Bob was a sixth generation Texan and loved studying the history of Texas. He was a descendant of Captain William Arrington of Gonzales, who was a signer of the Declaration of War against General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Centralist Mexican government.
Bob graduated from South Park High School in 1958 and served for four years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Lamar University and went on to own or operate several successful businesses. His years at Exell, Inc. with his valued business partners, Leo Babel and W. R. Miller, were his pride and joy.
Robert lived with effects of a major stroke for the last twenty-two years of his life. Although completely unable to control his physical body, he managed to live a life of courage, dignity, chivalry, humility and honor. He managed to still be a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with. He loved life and, prior to his stroke, was an avid sportsman, craftsman, hunter and pilot.
Robert is survived by his wife, Cathy Blackwell; daughter, Mari Blackwell of Glendale, California; son, Robert Lee Blackwell III and his wife, Rebecca Blackwell; sisters, Bessandra Coe Traweek Elder and Belinda Jo Traweek Williams, both of Austin; grandchildren, Benjamin and Victoria Blackwell of Sour Lake; nieces, Kristin Davis and Meagan Noonan; and nephews, Brant Elder and Jared Welch. Bob is also survived by many friends, loved ones and extended family too numerous to list but too important to forget. He is preceded in death by his step-brother, Will McCall; his former wives, Ann Malinowsky Blackwell and Ellen Dee Arnold Blackwell.
Bob attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and will be deeply missed by the members of the church.
The family offers special thanks to all the nurses, therapists and caregivers who have been a part of his life (and theirs); thank you for your love, support and kindness.
A gathering of Mr. Blackwell’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, followed by his graveside service at 3:00 p.m., at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont. A procession will depart Broussard’s at 2:30 p.m. in route to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or Vietnam Veterans of America, Southeast Texas Chapter #292, P.O. Box 1071, Beaumont Texas 77704.
