Jerry Vernon Blackwelder

Mr. Jerry Vernon Blackwelder, 71, of Greensboro, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021, after a brief illness.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Jerome Cannon will officiate. The service will also be live streamed here: www.ladysfuneralhome.com/live.

The family requests that masks and social distancing be observed.

Mr. Blackwelder was born October 3, 1950 in Kannapolis. He was the son of the late George Vernon "Bud" Blackwelder and Alice Louise Bentley Blackwelder. He was a member of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro.

With great curiosity matched by his innate abilities and intellect, Jerry quickly entered the working world as a teenager, taking positions with a local newspaper and a Kannapolis radio station. As a careful, precocious observer of local current events, he soon discovered an ability and a passion for competitive politics. While still in high school, he successfully took charge of a local campaign for the state house of representatives. Soon afterward, he joined the 1972 gubernatorial campaign of Jim Holshouser.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Jerry joined the Holshouser administration as a valued member of the governor's personal staff, serving until 1977. That year, he moved to Greensboro where he assisted both business and political clients with advertising campaigns, first employed by John Harden Associates and later, Behrends and Company in High Point.

In 1980, Jerry again answered the call to organize and lead another political campaign - this time for a congressional candidate. That victory led to a stint as chief of staff for Congressman Gene Johnston. Politics was always in his blood. He worked for high level campaigns for decades, not always winning, but always gaining the confidence of the candidates. Jerry also worked in the United States Department of Transportation in a leadership position under Secretary James H. Burnley during the Reagan administration. He served as a staff member to North Carolina Speaker of the House, Harold Brubaker.

In 1989, after more than 20 years in journalism, public relations, marketing, campaign consulting, and freelance writing, Jerry formed his own agency, Blackwelder Communications, where he planned and implemented successful marketing strategies for corporations large and small and for dozens of political candidates at the local, state, and national levels. In recent years, Jerry rounded out his political career as a campaign consultant to Congressman Howard Coble and North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler.

As a thoughtful and persuasive author, Jerry's writing appeared in national consumer, business and trade publications. He also co-authored a book with South Carolina artist Jim Harrison entitled Pathways to a Southern Coast. In 1992, he wrote and published 43 Magazine for the Richard Petty Museum. He also served as editor of the Carolina Heritage Guide and Carolina Field Trips Magazine.

Jerry's working career was balanced, above all, by a dedication to his family. He never missed a Christmas celebration with his extended family members, and he always remembered birthdays and special events. He enjoyed traveling extensively throughout many states and in Europe. He was an enthusiastic sports fan and was especially tuned into UNC basketball. Over the years, Jerry also enjoyed the company of many special dogs who were lucky to share a home with him.

Mr. Blackwelder is survived by his two sisters, Jeannie Blackwelder and husband Dannie Needham of Kannapolis and Judy Cannon and husband James of Tobaccoville; two nieces, Leigh Ann James and Jodie Evington and husband J. Max; two nephews, Thomas F. James, Jr. and Jerome E. Cannon and wife Kim; great nieces and nephews, Thomas Bran James, Nolan Walker James, Zach A. Cannon and wife Lauren, Will P. Cannon and wife Natalie, J. Bradley Evington and wife Megan and Josh B. Evington; and great great nieces and nephews, Mackenzie Cannon, Beau W. Cannon, Eleanor G. Evington and Adaline A. Evington.

If you were privileged to know Jerry Blackwelder, you had a friend for life. He was always quick, shrewd, thoughtful, and quiet. His wisdom, loyalty, good humor, and steadfast friendship will be missed by colleagues, family, and loved ones throughout North Carolina.

Memorials may be sent to ASPCA Post Office Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 or at www.aspca.org, Lawndale Baptist Church, 3505 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27408 or to the Charity of the Donor's Choice.