Harry E. (Bo) Blackford

Harry E. (Bo) Blackford, 85, of Charles Town, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at his residence.

He was born Nov. 17, 1929, in Bardane. He was the son of the late Harry R. and Mary Susan Blackford.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ethel S. Blackford, who died April 26, 2014; sister, Louise Boyd; and brothers, William B. Blackford and John Allen Blackford.

After his wife, Ethel, passed away, he spent much time raising funds and advocating for Hospice of the Panhandle and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a favorite cause of his wife.

A life-long residence of Jefferson County, he received his schooling at Kearneysville and Shepherdstown High School. He graduated at Shepherd College and received his Masters degree in Counseling from West Virginia University.

He served 23 years in the United States Air Force as a 1st sergeant and weather forecaster. During that time, he was stationed at Enewetok in the Marshall Islands, saw the first “H” bomb test and later a transfer to atomic energy site in Mercury, Nevada for 10 atomic explosions. After returning from the USAF, he worked for four years in the admission office at Charles Town Races and then 23 years at East Ridge Mental Health as a counselor and ran the “aftercare” program in Jefferson County.

He was a member of the Jackson-Perks American Legion Post 71, Disabled American Veterans and previously the VFW Memorial Post 3522, Loyal Order of Moose Chapter 948 and sat on the Red Cross Board.

He loved all sports especially football and golf. He loved playing cards with family, friends and handicapping horses. He once co-owned race horses with friend, Lee Gorden.

Harry is survived by a daughter, Susan Frye, of Charles Town; four sons, Harry B. Blackford, of Ardmore, Alabama, Edmund A. Blackford, of Christiansburg, Virginia, Steve F. Blackford and Gregory S. Blackford, both of Charles Town; brother, James Blackford, of Martinsburg; sister, Mrs. Martin Weller, of Charles Town; sister-in-law, Mrs. John (Treva) Blackford, of Kearneysville; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces, too numerous to mention.

There will be no viewing and final service to be attended by immediate family only.

One of his final wishes was for friends and neighbors to remember him as they knew and interacted in life. No flowers, etc., but please remember and support Hospice with a memorial contribution in “Bo’s” name to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430, if you choose.

Arrangements by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider. com