Paul Blackford Obituary

Paul Eugene Blackford, age 76, of Elizabeth City, NC, formerly of Bucyrus, OH, died at Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Born in Bucyrus, OH, on May 11, 1949, to the late Marvin Royal Blackford and Doris Claus Blackford, he was the husband of 56 years to Vicki Jean Hart Blackford.

Paul worked in a variety of areas, including quality control for Timken, a manufacturing company where he worked for 30 years before retiring; owned and operated Little General Stove Shop and Store along with Clean Sweep Chimney Cleaning Service; drove a school bus; worked in well drilling; sold real estate for 20 years; was a charter boat captain; served as an EMT; was a volunteer fireman; and worked part-time at Twiford Funeral Homes. He was very active in his community, serving on the Colonel Crawford School Board; the County Children's Home Board; was a former member of the Bucyrus Rotary Club; served on the Crawford County Fairway Waycraft Board; and as head of the Republican Party for Crawford County. Paul loved fishing and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, going on Friday night date night races with Vicki, and spending time with his family. He was extremely proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Paul was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and served as a council member.

In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by two sons, Colt Blackford and his wife, Carolyn, and Derek Blackford and his wife, Jennifer; one sister, Marsha Hudson (James); sisters-in-law, Charmay Blackford, Terry Fritz and brother-in-law Fred Hart; nine grandchildren, Bodie, Layne, Andrew, Brianna, McKayla, Sheridan, Rhett, Alyssa, and Jett; and one great-grandchild, Elenore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Blackford and Carl Blackford.

A memorial service will be held in Bucyrus, Ohio in late spring, with a date to be announced at a later date.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Interpath Parkway, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is assisting the Blackford family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.