DR. JACK LIGON BLACKSHEAR, JR.
entered into Heaven on June 9, 2022. Born April 2, 1942, to Jack Sr. & Hildegarde Bebout Blackshear in Paragould, Ark. Survived by his wife of 56 years, Bobbie Morris Blackshear, son, William Jeffrey of Denver, Colo. and daughter, Danielle Girnus and husband Todd Girnus of Arlington, Texas; brothers, William Charles (Christy) of Rogers, Ark., and Robert Harrell (Eva) of Springfield, Mo.; mother-in-law, Willene Morris & sister-in-law, Marilyn Morris of Little Rock; a niece and three nephews, and he was predeceased by one nephew.
Graduating from Paragould High School in 1960, Jack then graduated from Hendrix College, where he was a Blue Key. In 1968, Jack received his medical diploma from UAMS. After interning at St. Vincent’s of Little Rock, he entered the Navy and became a Naval Flight Surgeon, attached to the 1st Marine Air Wing, and a Vietnam veteran. Jack returned to UAMS, completed a residency in Internal Medicine and GI and was a Fellow in both specialties. He practiced GI at Baptist Hospital as well as being a member of the Board of Trustees until 1993, when he decided to retire to practice medicine at the Little Rock VA. Jack’s passion to mentor medical students led him to travel to foreign countries on medical mission trips. He also continuously and faithfully served UAMS as a member of the Admissions Committee, Caduceus Club and Board of Visitors. Jack received multiple awards, including the Distinguished Service award from the College of Medicine in 1995 from UAMS, the Odyssey Award for Service to the World from Hendrix College in 2007, as well as Distinguished Alumnus of the UAMS College in 2020, which meant the world to him.
Aside from medicine, he lived up to his name as Jack of all trades. He masterfully played the clarinet since childhood and sang. Jack played the clarinet in the Little Rock Winds for years and happily served on the Board until his death. He was a chorus member of the Wildwood Opera Theater and also a member of their Board. Jack also sang concerts for nursing homes, church, weddings, funerals and birthdays. He was also a pilot and volunteered to be one of many command pilots for Angel Flight South Central. Jack flew 134 missions, transporting cancer patients for needed specialty care. He was driven to excel in everything he did because of his love for Christ, whom he accepted as his Savior at age nine. When Jack and Bobbie married in 1966, they joined Immanuel Baptist Church, where he served as physician oncall, a Deacon, a musician, Mission Friend leader for five year old’s, and taught Sunday School for all ages and anything else Bobbie asked him to do. Jack knew Christians are called to a life of love and humble service to honor our faith and gratitude to Jesus for the indescribable gift of everlasting life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church to the General Fund or the Food Pantry at 501 N. Shackleford Rd, Little Rock 72211, or to the Little Rock Winds, P.O. Box 250341, 72225.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 5-7 p.m., in the Garden Room at Roller Chenal Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow, 12 noon Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Immanuel Baptist Church. Please share your memories of Jack at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.