Blackwell enlisted in the
United States Army on September 12, 1949. He served in the
Korean War prior to being discharged on October 1, 1952. Blackwell worked as a mailman at a hospital in
Sheridan, Wyoming. He was employed by
Halliburton from 1956 to 1965. Blackwell subsequently worked at the FMC of
Wyoming from 1965 to his retirement in 1992. Blackwell served in the
Wyoming House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995. Initially, he represented
Sweetwater County. For his final term, Blackwell was elected to represent the 16th House district. Blackwell was a
Democrat. During his time in office, Blackwell served on the following standing committees: • Mines, Minerals and Industrial Development (1983–1984) • Mines and Minerals (1985–1987) • Travel, Recreation and Wildlife (1985–1990) • Minerals, Business and Economic Development (1988–1990) • Labor, Health and Social Services (1991–1994) • Revenue (1991–1994) Blackwell also served on the Management Council from 1993 to 1994. Outside the
Wyoming Legislature, Blackwell served on various other boards throughout his life, including the South West Rehabilitation Center and the Young at Heart Citizen's Center. ==Personal life and death==