Thomas "Tommy" Howard Blackmer

Thomas Howard Blackmer was born on April 4, 1951 to Frank Blackmer and Helen (Wheeler) Blackmer in Cortez, Colorado. He passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at his home in Arriola at the age of 67.

Tom, or Tommy as he was always known to Sherrie, lived in Cortez until he was 8 and then he and his family moved to Arriola in 1959. He attended a small, one-room school at Arriola and went on to Junior High and then Montezuma-Cortez High School where he graduated in 1969.

Tommy met the love of his life, Sherrie (Majors) Blackmer in Dolores and they were married shortly thereafter in 1970 and ultimately spent 48 wonderful years together. Tommy entered the Army and National Guard in January, 1971 and served his country for 6 years in Washington and Texas. Tommy and Sherrie were a solid foundation where their family continued to grow with the births of Matt and Jason. The family built their home on the ranch where Tommy and Sherrie lived until Tommy’s passing.

Tommy’s love of building things began early and continued through college and into adulthood. Tommy was in the construction business working for several different general contractors within the area including nearly 30 years at Southwest Contracting. Every single place Tommy worked he created relationships that have continued to this day. Tommy was always the person that could fix or create anything that was needed. It will be a very difficult transition to not go over to pick up the phone or go to Tommy’s shop for help as he was always there to help out.

As kids, Tommy and his sister Marie helped their Dad, Frank, with the cattle and the ranching tradition continued throughout Tommy’s life as he eventually took over the ranching business with his son Jason. Both family and friends will remember the good times including putting up hay, branding calves and the spring/fall cattle drive between the home place and the high country. The ranch has continued to grow and thrive due to Tommy and Jason’s dedication and hard work and the hard work has pushed forward the Blackmer Family legacy.

Tommy’s work ethic and core values were at the forefront of everything he did. Tommy never had a bad thing to say about anyone and was always willing to help anyone that he could in his own way. Anyone that spent much time around him couldn’t help to be held to the same high standards that Tom held himself to on a daily basis.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Sherrie and two children, Matt (and Jerusha) Blackmer of Morrison and Jason Blackmer of Dolores and three grandchildren, Ty, Anne and Jake. Tommy also leaves behind his sister Marie (and Dick) Swanner of Dolores and numerous nieces and nephews. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Helen Blackmer. He was also preceded in death by Ed and Richard Greenlee, who were raised with Tommy and his family and who he considered to be his brothers.

A memorial fund has been set up in Tommy’s name at the Dolores State Bank. The funeral service will be held at the Arriola Community Center on August 23, 2018 and burial services will be held at Summit Ridge Cemetery at the family plot after the ceremony.