Dr. John S. Blackard, 81,of Stuart, FL passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 after a long but courageous battle with cancer.

John was born to Laverne and Wilma Blackard on October 19, 1942 in Huntington, IN. In 1953, his parents moved the family to Pompano Beach, FL.

John excelled in everything he participated in, from being Captain of the football team to running track and playing basketball. He graduated from Pompano Beach Senior High School in 1960. John went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1964, where he met and married his beloved wife, Gloria that same year. He went on to earn his Doctorate degree in 1968 from the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dentistry. After earning his dental degree, John & Gloria celebrated the birth of their first son, John Michael in 1969. He then enlisted in the US Army as an officer, achieving the rank of Captain and completing is dental internship while serving. While at Fort Bragg, NC, he and Gloria celebrated the birth of their second son, Robert Harris in 1970.

John and Gloria then moved their family back to Florida, settling in Stuart in 1975, where he would open his dental practice. Dr. Blackard cherished his relationships with both his staff and his patients of many decades. After retiring from private practice, he then worked several years for the Florida Department of Corrections as their staff dentist at both Martin Correctional in Indiantown and Sumter Correctional in Bushnell.

Following his final retirement from dentistry, he took on the most important and rewarding role of his life as Grampa and Great Grampa. His children and grandchildren loved him immensely and will forever remember the priceless memories they shared baking bread, fishing, hunting, woodworking and boating. John was an award-winning woodcarver who won multiple world championship waterfowl carving competitions held annually by the Ward Foundation in Baltimore MD. He was a member of the Treasure Coast Woodcarver's Club up until the time of his passing. He was incredibly gifted and his talent for creating breathtaking duck decoys, waterfowl and heirloom furniture was beyond compare. John was also an avid reader, completing voluminous novels in less than a day. The knowledge he had acquired over his lifetime would have guaranteed him a Jeopardy championship. He savored his time in and on the waters of Florida & the Carolinas, fly-fishing, river & deep-sea fishing and scuba diving.

John cherished all of his friendships and maintained close relationships with even his high school chums. It wouldn't be unusual for him to have friends stop by weekly for a cup of coffee, a hilarious story telling session about times gone by or teaching fly-tying or woodturning in his workshop.

John was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Gloria, parents Laverne and Wilma Blackard, sister Marilyn Keating and brother David Blackard.

He is survived by his two sons, John (Rhonda) Blackard of Stuart, FL and Robert (Diana) Blackard of Sevierville, TN, his sister Ruth Fox of Tampa, FL, his grandchildren Samuel Blackard and Kylie Shore of Sevierville, TN, Rusty (Sara) Cooper of Orlando, FL, Christopher (Mandy) Cooper of Port St Lucie, FL and Austin (Bailey) Cooper of Stuart, FL, his great grandchildren, Parker Shore of Sevierville, TN, Levi Cooper of Orlando, FL and Finnley and Rylen Cooper of Port St Lucie, FL and special friend, Mable Murray of Stuart, FL who lovingly remained by his side through his illness.

John will be incredibly missed by all who knew and loved him. At his request, there will not be a service. His ashes will be scattered at his favorite offshore fishing and diving hole in Stuart, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Treasure Coast Hospice, who assured his comfort and provided compassionate support to his family during his transition.

Fish on, Tooth!