Elmo was born November 18, 1934, to J.B. and Sarah Blackwell in Okemah, OK. He graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1953 and attended Texas Tech University. Elmo married Sunnye Brown in 1956 in Dimmitt. Elmo and Sunnye moved to Colorado where he was employed by Martin Marietta for 35 years as an aeronautical engineer. Upon his retirement from Martin Marietta, he and his wife traveled in their recreational vehicle and worked for Trailer Life Magazine evaluating campgrounds. They ultimately moved back to their home town, Dimmitt, Texas where they lived until their deaths. Elmo was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family and enjoyed playing golf. Survivors include: Daughter Suanne Blackwell of Dimmitt, Texas, two sons Jim Blackwell and his wife Jo Lynn of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Mike Blackwell and his wife Jennifer of Littleton, CO., five granddaughters, two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sunnye; a sister Doris Hankinson, brother Jerry Blackwell. The family suggest memorials be made to Castro County Healthcare Welch Rehab Services of Dimmitt, Plains Memorial Hospital, 310 Halsell Street, Dimmitt, Texas 79027