Dave Blackford

David W. Blackford, age 74, of Lamar, peacefully passed away Friday afternoon, March 23, 2018, surrounded by family in his home.      Dave was born October 20, 1943, in Barton County, Missouri, son of the late Ray and Viola (Pennell) Blackford. He graduated from Golden City High School in 1961 and began a career as a truck driver, with most of the countless miles accumulated from daily or nightly Kansas City runs. In addition to working for a time at Thorco, he owned and operated Dave’s Dry Cleaning for seven years. Selling his business and retiring in 1997 gave Dave more time for hunting, fishing, and, his favorite pastime, camping and boating with his family at Stockton Lake. A great day for Dave would include a few hours on his 1961 Allis Chalmers at the family farm. He was an active member of Lamar United Methodist Church.      On June 20, 1980, in Lamar, Dave married the love of his life, Becky Robertson and she survives, of the home. Also surviving are his children, Carla (Kurt) Swartz, Lamar, Tim (Michelle) Blackford, Oronogo, Missouri, Michael Blackford, Lamar, and Megan (Doug) Stefan, Golden City, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Bethany, Elly, and Lyndey Swartz, Garrett, Madeline, Jaxon, and Nolan Blackford, Cody, Gabriel, and Levi Stefan; sisters-in-law, Judy Loch, Oswego, Illinois and Sandy (Earl) Karas, Warrensburg, Missouri; a large extended Blackford and Pennell family; and many friends.      Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 27th at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday.   Burial will be in Iantha Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.