Dr. Clinton R. Blackmon, 87, of Waldoboro, husband of Miriam LeMay Blackmon, died peacefully Oct. 15.
He was born on the Blackmon cotton and tobacco farm in Timmonsville, S.C., on Aug. 13, 1919, to Leon Kinchen Blackmon and May Belle Davis Blackmon.
Clinton attended local schools, farmed, and graduated from Clemson A&M College in 1941, received a B.S. degree and was Commission as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army.
As a 1st Lt. in the 3rd Battalion 127th Infantry 32nd Division, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action near Lonoy, Leyte, in the Philippine Islands. He spent three years in the Pacific combat theater, returning to marry Miriam LeMay in Ayer, Mass. on April 15, 1945. He continued in the active Army Reserves from which he retired with the rank of Major in 1979.
After the war, while studying and teaching at the University of Massachusetts, he earned his Masters Degree in Agronomy. At the same time, he also taught as the acting head of the Agronomy Department at the National Agricultural College in Doylestown Penn., the department he organized and equipped in 1948.
He furthered his education through 1955, and received his Ph. D. in Agronomy from Rutgers University with a minor in Botany.
In 1956, he moved his family to Maine, where he taught and conducted research at the University of Maine in Orono and Presque Isle. Through this period he became internationally recognized as a leader in plant breeding, an expert in oats and wheat, and was responsible for key advances in the development of soybeans for northern climates. He was selected to attend the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies in 1962, for study of the use of Nuclear Isotopes in Botany and Plant Breeding.
His teaching and research career continued with a move to Panama, where he conducted research and taught as a Professor at the University of Panama and as an Advisor in Crops under the U.S. AID program from 1962-1964.
Upon returning to the United States, he took a position at Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, where he actively continued to teach and research, advancing to become Dean of Faculty, and retiring as the Dean Emeritus of Faculty in 1987. During these years he worked for the United Nations on international agricultural projects.
Retiring to Maine with Miriam in 1987, he was active in the United Methodist Church of Waldoboro, and enjoyed life with his gardens, his fruit trees, and his family.
Farmer, scientist, athlete, soldier, teacher, gardener, he was first a strong, loving, and devoted family man, always active in church and civic affairs.
Clinton and Miriam enjoyed 61 years of marriage, raising five children: Daniel Blackmon of Charlotte, N.C., Rebecca and Christopher Blackmon of Waldoboro, Whitney Blackmon of Holland, Penn., and Jonathan Blackmon of Kenilworth, Penn., who survive him. He enjoyed 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who enjoyed him. One of 11 children, Clinton is also survived by his sister, Ethel Blackmon Howell of Timmonsville, S.C.
Celebration of Dr. Blackmon’s life 2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 21 at the Waldoboro United Methodist Church, Friendship St., Waldoboro, with the Rev. Joseph Beardsley officiating.
In memory of Dr. Blackmon, memorial donations may be made to the Waldoboro United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 354, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or to the Salvation Army (Waldoboro Region), P.O., Box 3647, Portland, ME 04104.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
