Gary L. Blackman, 76, of Taylorville, died at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2018, in his home.
A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 25, at the Taylorville First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Becky Lembke officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3 until 6 p.m. at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville.
Mr. Blackman was born on Dec. 27, 1941, in Logansport, IN,the son of Kenneth and Bonnie (Shaffer) Blackman. He married Marsha Pacotti on June 21, 1984, in Taylorville, and she survives.
He graduated from Logansport High School in 1959 and went on to Indiana University where he earned his undergraduate degree and was ultimately awarded the doctor of optometry degree. Dr. Blackman was a longtime partner in the Central Optometric Associates (Advance Eye Care) in Taylorville, retiring in May of 2014 after 50 years of practice.
He was extremely active in many professional organizations. He was a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and was named Optometrist of the Year in 1997. During his tenure as President of the IOA, he was instrumental in the creation of laws allowing optometrists to prescribe therapeutic drugs for eye health. He was also passionate about providing eye care to nursing home residents, having developed many of the protocols, something he continued to do even in his retirement. He was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and was also a member of the American Optometric Association, serving in various leadership roles up to vice president.
In addition, Dr. Blackman was a devoted volunteer to V.O.S.H. (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), making countless humanitarian trips to Central and South America, as well as Poland and Africa to care for the less fortunate. He served as the first president of Illinois V.O.S.H.
He was a member of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club, helped with the Key Club at Taylorville High School, and was named Kiwanian of the Year in 1967. He, along with the husbands of other junior high teachers, helped start what is now known as Coats for Kids in Taylorville. He served on the board for the Christian County Mental Health Association, was a member of the First United Methodist Church and participated in a men's Bible study group. In his spare time, Gary loved to golf, garden and work in his yard, work on his 1937 Packard, and explore new technologies.
He also had a love of travel and was baptized in the Jordan River at the exact sight where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Jeff (Laura DeBruce) Blackman of Sanibel, FL; daughters Stephanie (Andy) Ballard of London and Amy (Jeff) Juhlin of Chatham; grandchildren Abigail, Margaret and Katherine Juhlin, Luke Blackman, and Nathaniel, Joshua, Benjamin, Jessica, and Quentin Ballard; brothers Stan (Susan) Blackman of Tucson, AZ, and Tom (Jenny) Blackman of Carmel, IN, and nieces and nephews Neil Blackman and Blake Blackman, Greg Blackman and Lindsey Blackman, and John Pacotti and Angela Pacotti-Long.
Memorials may be made to V.O.S.H. Illinois, Taylorville First United Methodist Church, or the Taylorville Public Schools Foundation. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
