The city of Foley remembers former City Councilman Cecil Richard “Rick” Blackwell Jr. with gratitude for his years of service and the lasting impact he made on the community he called home.
Blackwell died Friday, Sept. 4, at the age of 83.
Blackwell represented District 4 on the Foley City Council for 17 years, serving from 2008 until his retirement in 2025. During that time, he helped guide Foley through a period of significant growth and was a strong supporter of investments in recreation, infrastructure and economic development.
A native of Baldwin County, Blackwell was born at Holmes Hospital in 1943 and grew up in Bon Secour. He attended Swift School and graduated from Foley High School in 1961 before attending the University of Alabama. He later worked with Reynolds Ready Mix in Baldwin County and Goodrich Aerospace.
Blackwell’s commitment to his community began long before he took his seat on the council. He was active in the Foley Lions Club and spent years working to create opportunities for local children and families. He served as president of the South Baldwin Dixie Youth Girls Baseball program for eight years and the Girls Softball League for four years. He was also a member of the committee that helped establish the Foley Soccer League.
That commitment carried into his service on the council. Blackwell was a strong supporter of Foley’s investment in parks and recreation, including the expansion of athletic fields and facilities as Foley developed into a regional destination for youth sports. For Blackwell, investing in recreation meant investing in the children and families who called Foley home.
He also recognized the broader impact those investments could have on the community. Blackwell supported Foley’s growing sports tourism efforts, helping the city develop facilities that would bring tournaments, athletes and families to Foley while supporting local businesses and the economy.
Blackwell’s vision for Foley extended beyond recreation. He took a particular interest in the Foley Municipal Airport and recognized its importance to the city’s growth and economic development. As activity at the airport increased, he supported improvements including taxiway expansions, new hangars and efforts to secure state and federal funding for airport projects.
During his tenure on the Foley City Council, Blackwell saw Foley change considerably and helped make decisions that prepared the community for continued growth. His service reflected a commitment not only to the needs of the community at the time, but also to Foley’s future.
The city extends its deepest condolences to Blackwell’s wife, Sherri, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family, as well as the many friends, colleagues and community members who knew and loved him.
The city of Foley is grateful for Blackwell’s dedication to the community and the legacy of service he leaves behind.