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T/SGT Freddie Lee Blackwell, USAF (Ret.) age 91 of San Antonio Texas passed away on Sunday, July 9th, 2023, at Brooks Army Medical Center, after a short illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He passed just one week shy of his 92nd birthday. Fred was born July 16, 1931, in Ward, West Virginia. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. In August 1950 he was assigned to the 3731st Squadron, Flight 523 at Lackland AFB, Texas, where he served with the Security Police. His first Tour of Duty took him to RAF Bassingbourn, England. It was while he was stationed here that he took a bus ride to a Community Dance in Luton, England, and met the love of his life and future wife, Audrey Ryder. They were married at Biscot Church, Luton England on 16 March, 1953. They were blessed with one daughter, Susan Marie (Blackwell) Sanders. His assignments took him to Dow AFB, Bangor, Maine, where he served with the 506th Air Police Squadron (cir 1953-1955), RAF Sculthorpe, England, where he served with the 47th Air Police Squadron (cir 1955-1958), Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, where be became a Military Training Instructor with the 3727 BMTS (ATC) (cir 1958-1964). Diyarbakir, Turkey (cir 1964-1965), RAF Lakenheath, England, where he served with the 48th Air Police Squadron, as Air Police Supervisor (cir 1965-1968) and Kincheloe AFB, Sault St. Marie, Michigan, where he served with the 4609th ABG (ADC) as Security Police Supervisor (cir 1968-1971). Fred retired from the United States Air Force on 1 July 1971 with the rank of Technical Sargent. He then moved his family to San Antonio, Texas as his permanent residence. As a civilian, Fred changed his career field to Credit Manager and worked for several different companies, eventually retiring from San Antonio Credit Union (now Credit Human). Fred was a kind, sincere, sweet, gentle, loving, and caring person. He was a “jack of all trades”, from handy-man, gardener, cook, housekeeper, and caregiver, not to mention a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved camping and fishing in his retirement years. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Valerie Ann Sanders and is survived by his wife, Audrey Blackwell; his daughter, Susan Sanders and her husband, Mark; his granddaughter, Kristina Parsons; his great granddaughters, Kenzie Stephens and her husband Tom, Kamarin Winans, and Evelyn Parsons; and his great-great grandsons, Liam Stephens and Connor Stephens. A short Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will begin at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Pavilion #3, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road. Map directions provided. Flowers, donations, and condolences may be offered at 146 Daytona Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78227.

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T/SGT Freddie Lee Blackwell, USAF (Ret.)

July 16, 1931 - July 9, 2023