John Boyce "Johnny" "JB" Blackley, Jr.

John Boyce Blackley Jr., “Johnny” or “JB” to friends, died on June 25, 2025.  John was born May 23, 1959 to John and Carol Myers Blackley.  He was their fourth child, but the first and only boy.  John was a member of the Myers family of the Light Community of Fair Grove, residing for much of his life next to the historic home of his grandparents, John and Fanny Clodfelter Myers.

          John was a friendly, kind and sensitive person, who was at home on the basketball court, in the woods or on the waters.  He was blessed with a sneaky sense of humor, and numerous buddies.  Those were needed as he accepted the challenge of three big sisters with pleasure and style.  He was affable and easy going, and like his dad a born storyteller.  John could spin a tale out of anything, and with his experiences had a great deal of material.

John was an artist and from childhood was constantly drawing and later photographing the outdoors.  More recently he worked in wood, becoming a talented sculptor in that medium.  The American Indian was his constant theme, but his subjects varied, almost always returning to the theme of Nature.

John was born in Great Falls, Montana during his family’s residence there.  In the Big Sky Country his father John apprenticed in the craft of masonry with his gifted brother-in-law Edgar Sowers, who was married to John’s Aunt ‘Rene, Carol’s oldest sister.  The boisterous and talented Sowers family mentored John Sr. and Carol’s young family creating lasting memories. 

When John was four the family returned home to North Carolina.  He attended Fair Grove School and graduated from East Davidson High School in 1977, becoming a summer fixture at Founder’s Park Swimming Pool along the way.

John and his father worked together and were renowned in the construction business for their masonry skills.  They could sling cinderblocks precisely into the wall of a commercial building all day long, while working from a scaffold; then the next day craft a lovely rock hearth for a local home.  Indeed John’s stonework on Denton’s beautiful Old School Bell Memorial in Harrison Park is a lasting legacy of his talents.

John married Danielle Kiss and was a devoted dad to Tyler and Hope and his stepdaughter Kayla.  When Tyler joined Scout Troop 72 of Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting, John stepped up to help.  He shone as a dedicated Assistant Scoutmaster, finding a knack for mentorship as he shared with the young Scouts his love of the outdoors while teaching them camping and water skills. He loved to display his basketball abilities with the kids, earning the name, Rainbow Warrior. With the inspiration of his dad, Tyler attained the rank of Eagle Scout and served as the Senior Patrol Leader.

John’s family who will miss him include his wife, Danielle, son Tyler Blackley, daughter Hope Blackley, stepdaughter Kayla Kiss, and mother Carol M. Blackley, Aunt Mary Blackley Adams, three sisters, Vicki B. Mitchell (Paul), Donna B. White (Bill), and Bonita B. Hanner (Dale), plus numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned pending arrangements. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.