James B. Blackwell

Detective James Benjamin Blackwell, age 59, of Montgomery Texas, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, surrounded by his family.

James was born November 19,1964 in Odessa, Texas to loving parents, Rodney and Peggy Blackwell. He was joined by his sister, Traci, in 1967. James was a 1983 graduate of Colorado City High School in Colorado City Texas where he loved playing football, serving as Senior Class Officer, and being a photographer for the school newspaper.

James began his college career at Texas Tech University and later transferred to Louisiana State University to be closer to his parents. He met his future wife in the LSU cafeteria lunch line. In 1987, James graduated from LSU with a degree in Political Science and then married the love of his life, Lilah Bourn before moving back to Texas. James and Lilah welcomed their first baby girl, Rheagan in 1992 and their second baby girl, Roxanne in 1996. James loved his family fiercely and became a proud PawPaw to Juniper in 2018 and Miles in 2020.

James always had a calling to be a public servant. He began his law enforcement career in Montgomery County’s Constable’s office and later hired on with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. In his many years of service, he worked within the Jail, Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions. James was a Master Peace Officer and Certified Fraud Examiner. In 2010 he was named ‘Outstanding Officer’ and in 2012 was recognized by the Houston Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners as “Fraud Fighter of the Year” for his work that uncovered a large-scale check kiting and fraud operation that had 60 victims and spanned four counties. James was well known for his great sense of humor. He was a mentor to many and helped educate fellow law enforcement in his last few years of service. James was always a lifelong learner with an incredible wit.

He is preceded in death by his father, Rodney Blackwell.

James is survived by his loving wife, Lilah Blackwell; his daughter Rheagan Smith and her husband Kevin; his daughter Roxanne Blackwell-Cabrera and her husband Sebastian; his Grandchildren, Juniper and Miles Smith; his mother, Peggy Blackwell; his sister Traci Newman and her husband Max; his Aunt Gloria Dunaway and husband Raymond; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and his brothers and sisters of law enforcement are also left to cherish his memory. James will be severely missed by all who knew him.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Fellowship of Montgomery, 12681 FM 149, Montgomery, TX 77316. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations and contributions be sent to Children's Safe Harbor. https://childrenssafeharbor-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1237664