Jimmy Blackley

With heavy hearts yet unwavering faith, we announce that Jimmy Allen Blackley has joined his Heavenly Father. Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice in knowing he has taken hold of the eternal life promised to him through his faith in Jesus Christ. 

Jimmy, or Jim as he was known to many, was born in Tiffin, Ohio on January 15, 1943. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Texas. As he grew, he exemplified everything about the Lone Star State and embraced all it had to offer. Not being born in Texas was something never to be spoken of – he was native Texan. End of story. 

As a young boy, he and his two brothers, Tommy Lee Blackley (twin), and Wayne Parker Blackley (elder) took pride in ensuring their parents, Juanita (Dobbie) White Blackley and Romby (Jim) Parker Blackley earned their parenting stripes. Their family lived on ranches or farms for the first ~10 years of his childhood where he learned early the value of a hard day’s work. He grew up around horses, cows, sheep, and chickens and started early in the mornings with daily chores. Make no mistake though, he and Tommy would find ways to skip out on chores, run down to the creek, and go swimming. After all, a little mischief can bring the most fun. During these years, he also spent a lot of time helping his grandmother and grandfather in their garden. It was with them that his love for gardening and canning took root and would remain a passion of his throughout his life. 

Later, he joined band and orchestra where he played percussion and became an accomplished drummer. He later played in a band, the Northwinds, performing local gigs where he mesmerized audiences with his rhythm and showmanship. To quote his older brother, “You’ve never seen anything like him!” 

He attended Abilene High School in Abilene, TX and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June of 1963. He was the top graduate in his Radio “A” School at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. He spent two years aboard the USS Everett F. Larson DD-830 in the Pacific as a Viet Nam Combat Veteran and ended his service in the Navy Reserves. In 1964, fate intervened when he met the love of his life, Linda Kay Haynes, while cruising the drag in Abilene. His twin brother recalls that from that moment on, Jim was a “lovesick puppy” and “worthless for doing anything fun.” He had found his heart, and after four years of courtship, they married on January 27, 1968, beginning a love story that would span 57 years. 

Early in their marriage, Jim worked as a policeman for the Abilene Police Department. They moved to Bryan College Station where he studied electrical engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU). While in school, he worked two jobs—one as a campus cop, the other as an undercover narcotics officer for the Bryan Police Department. Soon enough, Kay was elated to share the news that they would be soon welcoming a child. William (Bill) Parker was born in September of 1969 and quickly became Jim’s little buddy. 

While at TAMU, Jim was decreed a hero in 1969 by the Student Senate for saving a young mother and her infant son by running into a burning apartment building and removing them safely while they were unconscious. Despite excellence in his studies, Jim’s passion was law enforcement, and he decided to focus his career on serving his community. He and Kay moved to Houston, TX where Jim worked for the Liquor Board Agency, now Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC). His career took Jim and family to San Antiono, TX where their family later grew to include a little girl, Wendy Kay, born in 1975. A few months after her birth, another career move found them back in the Abilene area. It was at this time, Jim and Kay established their 47-year home in Roscoe, TX. With their third child on the way, Scott Allen, Jim and Kay wanted to plant deep roots and raise their three children in the slower pace of a small town. Jim made the bold decision to resign from the Liquor Board in 1979. He needed a way to support his family. He bought two books on welding, bought a truck and welding equipment the next day, and started his independent welding business. His business was successful for several years before he was encouraged to run for public office. In 1983, he began his legacy as Sheriff of Nolan County where he lived out his passion for 15 years serving his community. 

Sheriff is how most people remember him; straw cowboy hat, white button-down shirt, silver badge, leather belt with weapon on his hip, starched Levi’s 501’s, cowboy boots, and that Texas swagger accompanied by his bow-legged amble. With that “Blackley scowl” and unwavering stare, you knew he meant business. He respected the law, and he embodied justice, fairness, and integrity. His firm handshake was all you needed to know that his word was his bond. 

Jim’s impact on law enforcement extended far beyond Nolan County and the state of Texas. In addition to his years as a policeman, an undercover narcotics officer, and sheriff, he was a licensed firearms instructor for automatic weapons and dynamic entries, a criminal profiler, a licensed master police K-9 handler and trainer, special investigator for the Texas House of Representatives, Roscoe Chief of Police, Special US Customs Agent, Special US Marshall Deputy, Special Commission US Secret Service, Board of Directors of Texas Sheriff’s Association, and Chairman of Major Crimes Assessment Committee of Texas. 

But Jim was more than a lawman—he was a renaissance man. His hobbies and accomplishments could fill volumes. From young to old, he was a First Class Scout, a Royal Ambassador, photographer, an accomplished outdoorsman (hunting, fishing, trapping), sharpshooter, Texas state champion archer, scuba diver, beekeeper, master woodworker, pilot, trained chef, BBQ & grill master, world champion rattlesnake hunter, master handyman, hypnotist, bilingual in Spanish, sailor, motorcyclist, President of Shriner’s Club, and a Mason serving as Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge 571. 

Jim lived big. He loved being outdoors, always had a good and faithful dog by his side, enjoyed being with his friends, was never without a bottomless cup of coffee, and swore his wife’s cooking was always the best meal he ever had. “I wonder what the poor folk are eating?” he’d say to compliment another one of her culinary successes. He enjoyed teaching – whether you wanted to learn or not – he had knowledge to share and was going to educate you on the “right way” or a “better way” to do things. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a great storyteller—the storyteller—who could hold a room captive with his tales and booming, infectious laughter. 

Where Jim lived big, he loved even bigger. Beneath the tough exterior was a man of deep compassion, empathy, and boundless generosity. He would go to the ends of the earth and walk through fire for those he loved. He was never shy in saying I love you and sharing how he felt about you. Every conversation with his family ended with “I love you, God bless you, See you later.” “Good-bye” was never allowed to be said as it was too final. 

Jim was a fighter. He had grit, resilience, and determination. He loved his family and his friends deeply. He left this earth battling until the end, holding on as to not leave his beautiful wife as the thought of not being with her was too unbearable. The life he built with Kay was his greatest accomplishment. A life built on love, laughter, faith, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment. 

Jim is now reunited in Heaven with his firstborn son, Bill, whom he lost far too soon in 2013. Their reunion must have been glorious, as they were inseparable in life. Jim departs from his loving wife, Kay, twin brother, Tommy (Leslee), his daughter, Wendy (Brian), his son, Scott (Jenny), daughter-in-law Cherie, and his five cherished grandchildren: Ethan, Breigh, Grayson, Audrey, and Parker. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews who carry fond memories of “Uncle Jim” teaching them lessons not found in any textbook but necessary for real life. 

Jim cannot be replaced, nor can he be forgotten. There will never be another like him. He was too large, too incredible, too unique —and if he were here today, he’d tell you that himself. 

Where we will all miss him deeply, it’s come time for us to say, “I love you, God bless you, See you later.” 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7