Dr. Jack Riley Blackstone

DR. JACK RILEY BLACKSTONE, 76, of Little Rock, passed away April 18, 2018. He was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1942 to Francis Lee Blackstone and Alice Spradley Blackstone who preceded him in death along with two brothers, Cal Blackstone and Ray Blackstone. He was a member of Winfield United Methodist Church. Jack excelled in academics and began a lifelong interest in education. After graduating from high school, he pursued further studies, earning a Bachelor's Degree from LaGrange College in Georgia, a Master's Degree from Emory University in Atlanta, and a Doctorate Degree from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. His life's work centered on helping others. Jack was the Executive Director of the Association for Retarded Citizens in both Georgia and Texas. He was the national president of the ARC and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the President's Commission on Mental Health. When his career focus changed to capital development campaigns, Jack continued serving others. He created his own company to work with colleges, focusing on the historically Black colleges to help increase their endowments and buildings. Jack's greatest happiness and achievement was his family. He loved planning trips to see them and watch them develop. He enjoyed talking to each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild to encourage them and let them know how important each was to him and how proud he was of them. He adored his wife Nancy and felt he was a lucky man to have shared 32 years together. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Pollard Blackstone; son, Chris Blackstone of Perkins, Georgia; daughters, Kathi Oliver of Little Rock and Myndi Yates (Scott) of Marietta, Georgia; sisters, Alma Bales of Augusta, Georgia and Jane Lockwood of Abingdon, Virginia; grandchildren, Ashley Hester and Austin Blackstone of Millen, Georgia, Hunter Blackstone and Gavin Blackstone of Perkins, Georgia, Kassi Johnson (Justin) of Millen, Lianna Yates and Logan Yates of Marietta; great-grandchildren, Tripp and Molli Teem, Kailee Ann Amerson, Dakota and Mason Hester; and a host of other relatives and friends. A celebration of Jack's life will be Monday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Winfield United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Vida Williams and Rev. Charles Murry. Memorials may be made to the church at 20100 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72223 or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Jack's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.