Ralph Lee Blackwood

Ralph Lee Blackwood, Jr., 74, of Asheville, formerly of Chapel Hill, Wilson, and Rockingham Co., NC, passed away early Sunday morning, August 5, 2007 in Asheville. He was the son of the late R.L. Blackwood, Sr., and Louise Blackwood, of Chapel Hill. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Dara Kirkpatrick. Mr. Blackwood, a graduate of North Carolina State University, was the Director of Labor Relations at Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach, FL during the 1960s. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol Blackwood; his brother, Robert Blackwood and wife Louise, of Melbourne, FL; his son, Rick Kirkpatrick and wife Linda, of Nashville, NC; his son, Jon Kirkpatrick, of Asheville; his son, Mark Kirkpatrick and wife Stacy, of Bloomington, IL; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave., in Asheville on Friday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m. His family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.