Gerald Stanley Blackard of Drummonds, TN was born in Memphis, TN on May 4, 1945 to Lonnie Glyn & Carmen Telford Blackard who preceded him in death. He passed away on September 1, 2016 at the age of 71 years. Gerald was a graduate of Frayser High School in 1963, and went on to serve our country in the US Navy. He was a Master Electrician holding license with Shelby Co. and the State of Tennessee. He also held a license in Boiler and HVAC, and held a high level of computer skills. Gerald was retired from Firestone Tire & Rubber, Enpak Battery and Federal Express. Gerald loved traveling with his family, often going fishing and boating. He played the guitar and loved his Blue-Grass Music. With such a gentle spirit, and his kind and loving nature, he became everyone's good neighbor. Having such an active life, you would never have known he had also fought cancer and WON! His grandkids remember how much of a Handy Man he was and even nicknamed him Inspector Gadget. He was also a proud member of the 1st Baptist Church in Millington. Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Sandra Griffin Blackard; daughter, Amy Lou Blackard; grandchildren, Paige and Payton Hendershott and Presley Lairmore; great grandchildren, Laiton Kelbrey and Addilyn Rice; sister, Glenda Sheryl Chism; brother, Glyn Scott Blackard; beloved uncle, Roy Q. Blackard; and by numerous nieces and nephews from around the world. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 7 from 12 - 2 PM with funeral services to immediately follow at 2:00 PM, all at Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park East, 2440 Whitten Rd., Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West TN Veterans Home at www.veterans-home.com

Forest Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, East
(901) 382-1000