December 30, 1951 — April 23, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arthur Clinton Blackwell after long illness. Although this prevented Art from enjoying the retirement he had expected, he never lost his sense of humour or his keen enjoyment of family and friends. Art leaves Brenda, his loving wife of 48 years, his son, Andrew and daughter, Erin. He is also mourned by his brother Edward (Gerri), sister Dawn (Dick) and sister Janet (Mark). Art was preceded in death by his parents June and Arthur, and his brother David. He is also survived by sister-in-law Joy, brother-in-law Russell and sister-in-law Colleen and many nephews and nieces.

Art said that when he was a youngster, he never saw himself as a teacher. Growing up on a farm, he always wanted to build things, drive machinery, ride horses, grow crops and raise animals. However, even at a young age, in the one room school on Blackwell Road, Mrs. Herman, his teacher, trusted him to take her daily lessons from the teacherage and to run the class when she was ill! Art later attended Dallas Elem., Beattie Elem., and Kamloops Secondary School. Art did his first year of university at Cariboo College, (which was to become Thompson Rivers University) and then continued his studies at UBC, graduating with a B.Ed. and then subsequently obtaining a M.Ed. from Simon Fraser.

Art met his wife, Brenda, in his first year teaching at Lloyd George Elementary. They were both teaching Grade Seven in classrooms side by side. Two years later, they were married and had two children, Andrew and Erin. Art always had many interests. He enjoyed sports, fixed almost anything, and always enjoyed solving problems or puzzles. With no formal training, he drew up house plans for both the family homes. He also contracted them and did much of the work and landscaping himself.

Although Art loved teaching all his grade seven classes, (Lloyd George, South Sahali, Dallas and Rayleigh) he equally enjoyed his subsequent positions of District Math and Science Resource Teacher and later the position of District Coordinator of Intermediate Programs. He then held positions as vice-principal at Rayleigh Elementary and then principal at Pinantan Elementary, Haldane Elementary, and Juniper Ridge Elementary. Since 2003 Art had also assumed the role of Principal of the McQueen Lake Environmental Centre which also continued concurrently with his duties as Principal of Juniper Ridge School and later as Director of Curriculum and Instruction in 2007. Art always considered McQueen Lake the jewel of District 73. It was one of Art’s favourite assignments and he was proud to have helped develop a place offering such unique learning experiences. Art retired in 2016 after 40 years of doing work that he really loved and valued.

Art is greatly missed by his loving family and many good friends. A Celebration of Art’s life will be held on Saturday, June 20th at 1:30 at TRU in the Mountain Room Third Floor of the Campus Activity Centre 1055 University Drive Memorial donations may be made to McQueen Lake Centre, School District 73.

• Date : 2026-04-23
• Location : Kamloops