Christopher Robert Blackwell

Born on a beautiful Sunday morning, September 28, 1975 in Dallas, TX, Christopher Robert Blackwell took his first breath of life on this earth. At the age of 49, on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Tyler, Texas, Chris breathed his last breath and ascended into the Heavenly Realm with Jesus leading him home to a place of unconditional love and overwhelming peace.

Chris is survived by his devoted mother, Diane Canaday Blackwell of Quitman; his aunt, Norma Canaday Beech of Quitman; his aunt Martha Blackwell Huff and uncle Don Huff of North Richland Hills, TX; and his beloved four-legged companion, Duncan.

As a young boy, Chris was thrilled to come to Quitman to spend time with his cousins: Shannon Beech, Justin Canaday, and Robbie Huddleston, all of Quitman. Together they enjoyed fishing, riding four wheelers, water sports, and setting off fireworks, and playing pranks on Robin Huddleston of Tyler. Holiday gatherings at his Granny’s house brought him exciting times of playing games, exploring in the woods, and taking exciting holiday ski trips to the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado with his cousin, Adam Huff of Denver.

Chris is preceded in death by his father, Robert Duncan Blackwell; grandparents, Imogene and Curtis Canaday, Vera Blackwell Vickery and Alton Vickery; and cherished uncles, Jimmy Canaday and Bill Beech, all of Quitman.

Growing up on Melrose Drive in Plano, TX afforded Chris with lifelong friends and the freedom to explore the growing neighborhood. Summertime provided hours to dig a five-foot-deep hole on the side of Chris' house, resulting in the addition of a newly required French drain. Hours were spent at Plano Senior High fishing from the pond on campus. For hours the boys perfected their bicycle tricks and joined in the annual 4th of July parade.

Chris attended Montessori School and received his early education in private schools. He was gifted with an exceptional aptitude for learning and was placed in all accelerated classes. Chris had the gift of gab and could converse with the least to the greatest in education.

After graduation from Southern Methodist University, Chris became interested in the eyeglass industry and accepted a position with Essilor USA as an inside sales representative which he strongly disliked. Refusing to upsell to clients and his desire to make personal connections, Chris became a leading inside sales representative with Essilor. While employed by Essilor, Chris earned his American Board of Opticianry Certification and was a Certified Technical Speaker. His experience in the optical field provided him the opportunity to contract with Google and work with the US Army in developing the 24K gold-plated heads-up display for pilots flying the F1-Rafter planes. From Essilor, he was recruited by Santanelli, a specialized optical equipment company home-based in Milan, Italy, and headquartered in New York City. Chris worked on the West Coast, serving ophthalmologists and opticians in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Hawaii, and Nevada. Additionally, he contracted with Goo Goo Eyes in Dallas for display showings. His creative mind led him to design unique sunglasses for countless Hollywood celebrities, only by word of mouth.

Chris’ greatest desire was to serve others and cooking was one of his greatest pleasures. He prepared large meals for family, friends, and the medical staff at UTSW and Baylor Hospitals in Dallas with such joy. Often he would bring bouquets of flowers to the hospital staff to brighten their day. It was not unusual for him to pick up a grandmother’s tab behind him in the grocery store or buy a toy for an unhappy child whose parents had limited funds. Chris’ greatest desire was to love and be loved. Jesus was his guide and though Chris often failed, as many of us do, he got back up and tried again with the help of God. He will forever be missed beyond measures.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs, under the direction of Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 PM.

Flowers are appreciated, but if desired, a donation in memory of Christopher Blackwell can be made to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Instruments for Change, which provides instruments, music lessons, and mentorship to a child in the Dallas Symphony's Young Musicians program. Other charities that Chris supported include The Salvation Army, Battered and Abused Women and Children Shelters, and local food banks.

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