SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 105
In Memory
of
Charles Thomas Blackwell
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Charles Thomas Blackwell, who died
January 9, 2013, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Born on March 12, 1930, in Charlotte, North
Carolina, Mr. Blackwell was an accomplished actor, poet,
community activist, and history buff; he was also a proud veteran
of the Korean War and an executive with Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, As a young man, Mr. Blackwell attended Erskine
College, the University of South Carolina, and the University of
Houston; his love for the theater soon led him to New York City,
where his talent landed him in the original cast of Arthur
Miller's "Incident at Vichy" and where he became a member of the
Lincoln Center Repertory Theater; during this time, he also made
periodic appearances as a stand-up comedian and toured with
Kathryn Grayson in "Showboat"; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, Mr. Blackwell returned home to
York, South Carolina, where he would launch several small
businesses, including Blackwell Furniture Company; in York, he
also found an outlet for his creative talents, directing regional
theater productions and promoting his lifelong passion for
dancing the Shag, a national sensation he helped originate in the
1940s on the shores of Myrtle Beach; and
WHEREAS, This illustrious, multitalented citizen was also
passionate about politics and served as the chairman of the South
Carolina Libertarian Party in the 1970s and was locally active in
York politics; he was married to Martha McKnight Blackwell for
almost 45 years, and they were blessed with four children and
five grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
bereaved family of Charles Thomas Blackwell; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do
so in memory of Charles Thomas Blackwell.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 4, 2013, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate