Jeffery Glynn Blackstone

Jeffery Glynn Blackstone, 39, of Big Sandy, passed away Saturday, June 6 after being hit head-on in a fatal car wreck. He was born September 3, 1975 in Tyler, Texas to Pat and Linda Blackstone and was a 1994 graduate of Harmony High School. He then attended Centenary College and West Texas A&M on a baseball scholarship where he then earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education. He began his first coaching position as head baseball coach and assistant defensive coordinator at Harmony High School in 2001. After coaching at Harmony for a number of years, including leading his team to the UIL State Baseball Tournament, he joined the coaching staff at Kilgore High School as their head baseball coach and assistant football coach. In 2009, Jeff received his Master's Degree in School Administration and took a position as assistant principal at Forest Middle School in Longview. Although he loved administration, he missed coaching and returned to coaching at Big Sandy High School as their head baseball coach. He was currently employed by Big Sandy ISD. Jeff also led a select baseball team to an ESPN International baseball tournament in Florida where the Harmony Red Birds returned as ESPN International champions. Jeff is survived by his father, Pat Blackstone of Big Sandy; his mother, Linda Blackstone Stewart and husband, Arlyn Stewart of White Oak; his sister, Tammy Blackstone Bearden and husband, Tim Bearden of Big Sandy. His wife of 17 years, Teesha Blackstone and his beloved children: Haley Michelle Blackstone, Easton Cole Blackstone, Elijah Brock Blackstone, and Emma Kate Blackstone. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Mark Bullard of Amarillo; nephews, Brennan Thompson of Tyler, Baylor Bearden of Big Sandy, and Cade Bullard of Amarillo; nieces: Marti and Kenli Bullard of Amarillo. Aunts and Uncles: Scott and Flo Green of Gilmer, Joy Marsh of Hallsville, and Becky Henry of Gladewater. His lifelong friends and cousins, Les Henry of Gladewater and Lonnie Henry of Gilmer. Additional cousins are Randy and Debbie Marsh, Dale and Susie Marsh, Cory and Rolanda Littleton, Angela Fino, Brent and Cody Lambert, Pat and Janice Green, Tommy and Karen Green, and Pancho and Carol Moncada. He is also survived by his very much loved surrogate family members John Tabor of Hope Arkansas, Jimmy and Marianne Tabor of Haslet, Judy Holleman of Newton, and Candice Davidson of Gilmer. He was preceded in death by grandparents, James and Minnie Dee Blackstone of Big Sandy, and EJ and Ruth (Ruthie) Henry of Gilmer, his uncles, Mike Henry of Spring Hill and Max Blackstone of Big Sandy, his aunt, Gay Lambert of Hallsville, and sister-in-law, Sonia Bullard of Amarillo; also, his lifelong surrogate mother, Mae Tabor of Gilmer. A candlelight memorial will be held Monday, June 8 at the Big Sandy High School baseball field at 8:30. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 9, at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer from 6:00-8:00 pm. Services will be at First Baptist Church in Gilmer Wednesday, June 10, at 1:00 pm. Please join us in celebrating the life of Jeffery Glynn Blackstone. Pallbearers will be the Big Sandy High School coaching staff, Ronnie McNeel, and Jake Atchley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Harmony Red Bird baseball team, the East Texas Elite baseball team, and the Big Sandy High School baseball team. Please wear your jerseys in honor of Coach Blackstone.