James "Jim" William Blackford

James William “Jim” Blackford, 94, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, after a brief illness.

A native of Jessamine County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Willie Madeline Boggs and Eugene Dee Blackford. He was a member of the Nicholasville Methodist Church. He attended the University of Kentucky and retired from IBM.

Jim was a veteran of the Korean War and was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Navy from 1951 - 1955. He retired after 25 years of service from the Naval Reserves as First Class PO (E6).

He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club, member of the UK 101 Club for 35 years, a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Fleet Reserve, and a member of the USS Higbee Association.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife June Teater Blackford and his brother, John. He is survived by his daughter Ann Blackford and his beloved grand dog Beau, of Lexington, son Jim (Stephanie) of Florida, and two granddaughters, Molly and Maddy. He is also survived by brothers Eugene (Mary Jean) Blackford and Richard (Marie) Blackford.

Jim had special caregivers during the last years of his life that are like family; Joyce Kelly, Tammy Horton, Dorothy Peel, Donna Dickinson, Thelma Johns, and Jaylen Smith of Always Best Care, an agency provided by the Veteran’s Administration.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Betts and West Funeral Home in Nicholasville. Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 at the Nicholasville Methodist Church, 303 West Maple St., with military burial to follow at Camp Nelson Cemetery.

Pall bearers will be Amador Gonzalez, Kevin Degler, Doug Downing, Rick Blackford, Doug Blackford, and Robert Blackford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1115 Ashgrove Rd., Nicholasville, Ky, 40356.