Robert Blackmore

Robert E. Blackmore, 91, of Troy, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, June 7, 2015.  He was born May 5, 1924, in Troy, OH, to the late Arthur and Lena (Kraus) Blackmore.

He is survived by his children Larry Blackmore (Sharon) of Troy, Rita West (Paul) of Hinsdale, IL, Jane Hum of Troy and David Blackmore (Ruthan) of Dayton; 9 grandchildren Meredith Blackmore of Cincinnati, Jared Blackmore (Sarah) of Troy, Kevin West (Candice) of Clarendon Hills, IL, David West (Heather) of Great Falls, VA, Stephanie Lake (Ryan) of Knoxville, TN, Laura Hum of Chicago, IL, Bradley Blackmore (Shawne Nicole) of Huber Heights, Brian Blackmore (Betsy) of Troy and Thomas Blackmore of Columbus; and 7 great-grandchildren James and Conor West, Elle, Ava and Quinn West, Alec Blackmore and Anna Blackmore.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Jean Blackmore, in 2007, to whom he was married for 62 years; brother James F. Blackmore; and children Ann Blackmore and Steve Blackmore.

He graduated from Troy High School in 1942 and worked for a short time at Waco Aircraft Co. before becoming a student at the University of Cincinnati.  In 1943 at the age of 19 he was activated into the WWII US Army.  After receiving training in the US, he served overseas in the European Theater of Operations and was discharged in 1946.    He enrolled as a student at Ohio State University and graduated in 1948.  That graduation started a career through the various phases of agriculture that he thoroughly enjoyed.  He was employed as the associate country agriculture agent of Allen County in Lima, Ohio, working with and advising 4-H club members along with working with cattle and swine producers.  After 3 years he and Jean came back to Miami County and became farm operators on some of the Blackmore acreage that had been purchased in the year 1819 by earlier Blackmore generations through the Federal Land Grant System.  It was here that he and Jean raised their six children.  They all became active in Troy and Miami County activities.  As a farm operator he participated in the farm programs that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) made available to farmers.  He served as a county acreage reporter, a Concord Township committee member and advanced to become a member of the 3-person Miami County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Committee.  He advanced to the Miami County Executive Director position that he filled for a 19-year span until retiring from agriculture.  Bob was a school board member of the Troy City School district when the Troy Junior High School was built and represented that district on the original Brukner board of directors, assisting Clayton Brukner in establishing Brukner Nature Center.  He then became a 30-year Brukner volunteer.  He was also a member of the original Upper Valley Joint Vocational School Board of Education.  He and Jean were developers of the housing subdivision known as Saxony Woods located south of Troy.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1pm on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at Baird Funeral Home, 555 N. Market St., Troy.  Friends may call prior to the service from 10:30am-1pm at Baird Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Troy, following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight Dayton, Inc., 525 Victory Road, Springfield, OH 45504.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com .