Gene Edward Blackford

Gene Blackford , 70 of Orlando, Florida passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Gene was one of twelve children born on October 15, 1940 to Ronald Earl Blackford and Ella M. Daly Blackford of Marion, Arkansas. He graduated from Marion High School in 1959 and continued his education at Arkansas State University seeking a double major. He graduated from Arkansas State with a BS in Accounting and Business Administration in 1967. His career as a US Government Auditor began at the Army Depot in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1978, Gene relocated to The Panama Canal where he continued his career as a Lead Auditor with the Panama Canal Commission. He retired from the Panama Canal Commission in June 1990, later being called back in as a consultant to assist with the closure of the United States' Auditor office in Panama as the US fully handed over power of the Canal to the Panamanian Government.
Gene is survived by: His wife, Esther Blackford of Florida. Gene's children: Raymond Blackford of New York, Gene Blackford II and Amy Smith both of Florida; His granddaughter, Amanda Smith. His siblings: Ronald Blackford Jr. of Arkansas, Bea Lugar of Arkansas, John Blackford of Arkansas, Harry Blackford of Tennessee, Bobby Blackford of Tennessee, Dorothy Pepper of Oklahoma, Elizabeth Baser of Arkansas, Ella Blackford of Tennessee, and Gailyn Simpson of Florida.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Newcomers Funeral Home located at 895 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL (407-277-4227). Public viewing begins at 3pm and services will commence at 4pm.