May 12, 1966 ~ December 13, 2025

May 12, 1966 ~ December 13, 2025

James Paul Blackwell passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 59. He was born in Richmond, CA and came to Amador County after serving our Country in the Army and working for Earthquake Safety Company. Once in Amador County, he began his 26-year career with AT&T where he was known for being an extremely hard-working, dedicated employee who did every job to the very best of his ability. 

James was also known as the “music man” because of his extreme love of music. His favorite band was The Beatles, which his father introduced him to at a young age. That love was only dwarfed by his love of the Raiders football team! He became a fan at the age of two when his parents took him to his first of many Raiders games. He loved the Raiders so much that he named his daughter Silver Ann Blackwell! Once, when his and Wendy’s house was burning to the ground in the middle of the night, he ran, barefooted, back into the house to rescue their season tickets, burning the bottoms of his feet!!

James was truly one of a kind and one of the most loyal, loving kind-hearted big teddy bears. He had an amazing personality with a spectacular sense of humor and known for his funny sarcasm. He could light up any room with his beautiful smile. He will be missed beyond belief. Anyone that was lucky enough to have had James in their life will never be the same. If he loved you, he loved you dearly. 

James is survived by his loving wife, Wendy Blackwell; their children, Desirae (Destry) Carroll, Donny (Cassie Curran) Helmig, James (Amanda) Blackwell II, Tristine Helmig, Trevin Helmig and Silver Blackwell; grandchildren, Skyler (Jared) Coppock, Mariah Carroll, Hailie and Asher Blackwell, Jayden Nelson, Maverick Coons, Braxton Helmig, Chloe and Norah Segura; great grandchildren, Avery and Charley; his mother, Nita Blackwell; brother, Mark (Corrina)  Blackwell. And numerous nephews and nieces. James was preceded in death by his father, Timothy Blackwell. 

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson, CA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Daneri Mortuary Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Sunset View Cemetery in Jackson, CA.