Walter Herman Blackward (84) entered the Gates of Heaven early Monday morning, June 20th, 2022. Herman was born September 21st, 1937, in Jefferson County, Illinois to Josephine and Ben Blackward. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1956. While in high school he met his best friend and love of his life, Anne Croft Blackward. Herman and Anne married October of 1957 and were married for 53 years. They had three children Liz, Jeff and Nathan.

During his early working life, Herman was employed by Foster and Kleiser Advertising. He posted billboards along the highways and on skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. He would find all kinds of things while posting the billboards. He would bring pop bottles home for his kids to recycle for spending money. He picked up buckets of balls and all kinds of interesting things. Work was important to him, and early in their family life he would often work 2 or 3 jobs to make sure his family was taken care of. He was a master of many things and many careers. Upon moving to Oklahoma, he began his professional driving career as joint owner of H & L Trucking, hauling sand and asphalt for Haskell and Lemon Road Construction. He would later begin working for Mistletoe Express Trucking Company starting on the docks. He then joined the Yellow Freight Truck Company, driving until his retirement in 2001. He could often be found running the Shawnee route hauling doubles and sometimes triples.

Church was an important part of Herman's life. He was an ordained deacon and served faithfully throughout his life. He loved serving the Lord through serving others. He was a long-time member of Regency Park Baptist Church, in Moore, where he volunteered for The Care Closet. You could find him there doing anything that needed to be done. He met a multitude of friends that became like family.

Herman was passionate about many hobbies throughout his life. He loved working with his hands. He was a master woodworker. From framing houses or remodeling homes to intricate and complex projects, he worked with a minimal amount of tools using a vision of the intended project. He taught his children and grandchildren many of his skills. He enjoyed collecting many things such cars, marbles, tools and a lot of other items. Herman's family tells many stories of the marble purchases and helping him find the perfect ones.

Herman was a lover of all things nature. He was an avid bird watcher. He loved watching, feeding and photographing them in his backyard. He loved to hunt for squirrels and rabbits. In his retirement, fishing became one of his favorite past times. He had more time to pursue the bluegills and anything else that would take his bait. Another one of his most favorite things to do in the springtime was mushroom hunting with his wife and son Jeff. The family would gather together to enjoy the fried mushrooms and talk about the next big hunt.

He discovered his true passion when he became a Papa. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, attending their multitude of events. He enjoyed every moment spent with them from family trips to concerts to dance recitals to derby races to football games. He loved it all. He shared all of the joys in life both large and small with his grandchildren. His grandchildren were loved.

He is preceded in death by his wife Anne Blackward, his mother Josephine Blackward and father Ben Blackward, his brothers and sisters, and lifelong friends.

He is survived by his children; daughter Elizabeth (Liz) and Dan Melton of Oklahoma City, son Jeffery and Cherri Blackward of Okemah, and son Nathan and Stacie Blackward of Broken Arrow. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jessica Blackward of Oklahoma City, Jeremiah Melton of Oklahoma City, Marshall and Drea McIntyre of Okemah, Mary Melton of Oklahoma City, Catherine Melton of Davis, Rance and April McIntyre of Okemah; great grandchildren Khloee McIntyre, Maverick McIntyre, Cash McIntyre, and Aria McIntyre of Okemah. He is also survived by special friend Billy McElrath and many other cherished family and friends.

In Herman's memory, donations may be made to Southpark Baptist Church in his name.