Randy Blacklidge

Raymond Allen “Randy” Blacklidge, 73, of Gulfport, MS, was surrounded by family when he went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 24, 2021.

Randy was born in Hattiesburg, MS, on October 31, 1948, to Ray and Dot Blacklidge, but grew up in and was a life-long resident of Gulfport. After graduating from Gulfport High School in 1966, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied commercial art and advertising and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. Randy was a corpsman in the US Navy Reserve stationed at Balboa Hospital in San Diego, and attached to a marine unit at Camp Pendleton in Ocean Side, California.

In 1968, Randy met the love of his life, Shirley Mangum, who became his wife on December 27, 1970.  They went on to have two children, Christy and Allen, and would have celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this year. Randy was a successful contractor and builder, and worked in the construction industry throughout his life.  He loved his friends and was adored by many, including the “lunch bunch” he enjoyed and talked about for many years.  Randy had a passion for the outdoors, and excelled at hunting and fishing.  His outdoor adventures took him all over the United States and the world, including hunting trips to Canada, Africa and New Zealand.  He particularly loved to fly fish on the Bighorn and Missouri Rivers in Montana, and the Souquee River in Georgia, and would spend many hours making fly rods and tying his own flies. Most of all, Randy was a Christian man who loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and often bragged on the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  He also loved his church, and was a faithful member of Harvest Church in Gulfport.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Elden Ray and Dorothy Scruggs Blacklidge of Gulfport; and his nephew, Ronald Wayne “Ronnie” Blacklidge Jr., also of Gulfport.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mangum Blacklidge; his brother, Ronald Wayne “Ronnie” Blacklidge, Sr. (Becky), of Gulfport; his daughter, Christy Blacklidge Chain (Bob), of Hattiesburg; his son, Raymond “Allen” Blacklidge, Jr. (Jaqueline), of Petal; his three grandchildren, Catie Chain, Ellie Chain, and Patrick Blacklidge; and one step grandchild Keaton Snell.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harvest Church, 15523 Landon Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503-4149.

Pallbearers are Bobby Allen, Brittany Blacklidge, Randy McFarland, Bob Peterson, Billy Scruggs, Richard Struss, David Theobald, and Richard Tilley.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Riemann Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS, with a visitation from 1:00 PM until the service.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Gardens Cemetery, Gulfport.