Obituary of Thomas Howard Blackman

Thomas “Tom” Howard Blackman was born on September 30, 1950, in Long Beach, CA to his parents Joseph and Elizabeth Blackman. Tom’s childhood was spent in Southern California where, as a 6-year-old young, Tommy was walking down Hollywood and Vine with his grandma, a director stopped him and asked if he could dance, sing, or act, which he said he couldn’t, and the director exclaimed “You’re perfect!” Following this encounter, Tom spent the next three years in a whirlwind of acting gigs, including starring in the movie “Half Pint” and a stint on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Tom, along with his two sisters JoEllen and Donna, spent the rest of his childhood split between the Mojave Desert and Southern California.

Tom graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Agriculture.  After college, he spent a year in Alaska working on the pipeline.  However, he quickly realized he preferred Southern California not only for the weather, but because there were actual girls there. Life then took Tom to Johnsondale, CA where he was a volunteer firefighter and a heavy equipment operator.  It was in Johnsondale when Tom reunited with the love of his life, Connie Hagan.  On May 29, 1977, during a 3-day camping trip surrounded by family and friends, Tom and Connie became husband and wife.   

In the following years, Tom and Connie welcomed their daughters, Sara and Sally, and life took them from Johsondale to Oregon, and then in 1984, they made Amador County their family home.  In 1990, Tom started his real estate dream of being the owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Award Realtors.  Tom was very active in the community as a member of multiple service organizations such as Jackson Lions Club (served as President), Chamber of Commerce (served as President), Board of Realtors (served as President), Amador County Film Commission, and Native Sons of the Golden West.  When not working or volunteering in the community, you would find Tom traveling, boating, and spending time with his family (even if he slept through most of the football games on Sunday).  Tom was an avid lover of the outdoors, from riding motorcycles to hunting and fishing, but his favorite place to be was with his family on the water.

Tom leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Connie, and two daughters and son-in-laws, Sara & Matt Girton, and Sally & Justin Arnst, as well as his true pride and joy, his four grandchildren Alex (19), Olivia (16), Stella (11), and Claire (9).

Tom passed away on October 6, 2023. Tom will be remembered at a celebration of his life on Sunday, November 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Italian Picnic Grounds in Sutter Hill.  All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to one of Tom’s favorite charities, Operation Care (operationcare.org).