Richard Dean Blackledge, Jr.

Richard (Rick) Dean Blackledge, Jr. Former resident of Mansfield and Florida, Richard Dean Blackledge, Jr, 47, of Wooster passed away Friday, January 01, 2010 at Glendora Health Care Center in Wooster, Ohio. Born March 16, 1962 in Mansfield, Rick was the son of Richard D. Blackledge, and Monica Simon Blackledge. An ATV accident on July 4, 1996 left Rick a quadriplegic. Though his physical limitations kept him from hobbies of fishing and working on cars, it did not keep his spirits down. A fan of NASCAR and the Dallas Cowboys, Rick was always up for watching either sport or discussing them with you. He also kept his mind sharp and prided himself on answering questions, often before the contestants could, on the replays of the seventies quiz-game shows. Rick kept his care givers laughing and smiling with his charm and witty tongue. He spoke very highly of the entire staff and the care he received. He enjoyed the fellowship of the "outdoor group" and teasing the staff of Glendora Health Care Center in Wooster. Thanks to the tremendous love, support and care he received while there, his last two and a half years were spent at a facility he fondly called home. Rick is survived by his mother Monica Blackledge Burrill of Wooster, step- father James A. Burrill; son Mathew F. Blackledge of Apple Creek; sister Amy (Mitch) Myers of Mansfield, brother Michael (Jeanny) Blackledge of Westerville; aunts and uncles, Mary Kay (Eugene) Bozymski of Chapel Hill, NC, Paul (Kay) Simon of Perrysville, Ann Feldstein of Sanford, FL, Vicki (Randy) Smith of Mansfield, Susan (Gary) Hoovler of Mansfield, Edward (Rosa) Blackledge of Mansfield, Dr. Thomas (Carolyn) Simon of Fayetteville, NY, and Vicky Woerth of Mansfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Rick was received in heaven by his father, Richard D. Blackledge, the grandparent’s Victor and Dr. Ruth Simon, Donald and Mildred Blackledge; and Uncle David Simon, all formerly of Mansfield. The family would like to thank all the staff of Glendora Health Care Center for taking such excellent loving care of Rick. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, Jan.9, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave, Wooster, Ohio with The Reverend Dr. Jeff Paschal officiating. Visitations with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service and during the luncheon following the service. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests that friends and family "pay it forward". Even though Rick lost his ability to physically reach out and touch someone, he never lost his ability to do so verbally. The family asks that in Rick’s honor you do the same – reach out and touch someone; put a smile on someone’s face and let them know that they are special to you.

Richard Dean Blackledge, Jr.

March 6, 1962 - January 1, 2010