Jeffrey Blackmun Obituary

Miss you my old friend had some good times back in the day

miss ya bro

Jeff was an incredible chef He was a better person than he was a chef But he was a better friend than you could ever ask for He always had my back I love him and I miss him

Jeff, you are and ALWAYS will be missed... but I know we will see eachother again. Every time I see a butterfly, my memory plays your voice back in my head. I am reminded of your goodness, your gentleness, your determination, courage and strength, your love and compassion, and your incredible knowledge of the true meaning of life.
You were helping out a complete stranger when i met you. I hope you know how deeply you touched peoples lives. You will never be forgotten....

We miss you so much Jeff!
~Rylie

Your memory washes over me and I am breathless...

For

I can't escape the familiar songs I hear,

I can't hide behind the majestic mountains we treasured,

I can't ignore our son's intoxicating laugh who so closely resembles the best of you,

My only solace is my faith that your soul is in a better place filled with eternal love and peace….

Though we must begin anew…..

We could never forget the imprint you have left on all of our hearts…

May we live every day, like you, with hope, humility, compassion and gratitude, for now we know, each day is truly a gift….

We will always be a family, our souls intertwined, bound by an eternal love that shall live on through this life and into the next….

My dearest friend Jeff.........googled you today so saddened of your passing. My prayers are with you and your family. Your friendship has been treasured and never forgotten. You are so loved by so many because of your wonderful spirit in life and your love in the culinary world. My time with you during our Restuara years in Phoenix and Denver taught me a lot about enjoying life and appreciating the real meaning of friendship. God bless you, Melissa and your beautiful son Gunner. You are definitely missed and loved by so many......Mary Ann Chaney Boring

A message to Gunnar,
In thinking about your dad, we want to share a memory or two.
Our son, Tom, and Jeff were the same age, and had lots of fun together.On one fishing trip they sprayed mosquito repellent in the entire interior of Don's car (making the car less attractive to mosquitos -- and humans as well). Another time when we were visiting Lake Forest, it was the time of the 17 year locusts. The bugs were big and they were everywhere. Jeff and Tom captured a jar full of the insects and put them in Zeta's suitcase to be discovered on our return to Denver.
Jeff's outstanding culinary skills were the source of much good advice to famiy and friends. For Christmas dinner, 2010, he saved the day for Zeta by spending 30 minutes on long distance with specific instructions for the special dinner.
Your dad had a great sense of humor, a twinkle in his eyes, and a great smile. He was a bit mischievous as well. We see these qualities in you. He was very proud of you and loved you dearly.
We treasure these and many more memories of Jeff.
With love Uncle Don and aunt Zeta

Fond fond memories of long time friend and best wingman on a riding lawn mower a guy could ever have.Oh.. and a great Knollwood Club trouble maker to boot. The guy was a battery charger and always there to give you a boost. What a ride!!!

Mr.& Mrs.B, Scott , Trish, Dodie
Melissa, Gunner, and I'm sure there is a faithful yellow lab in there somewhere? Please accept our deepest and heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
Dan, Diane, and Elizabeth Richmond

Jeff and I worked together for a few brief moments at Restaura in Phx. He obviously left a lasting impression. He had been in my thoughts on and off for the past year. This morning I decided to do an internet search to see where he was. I would have rather found him still on this earth.

I fondly remember him tasting something a made, saying, "Mmmmm! There's LOVE in it!"

The world will miss you, Jeff.

My Dear Jeff,

I remember the day I first gazed into those piercing blue eyes....

I was drawn to you......

You bared your soul to me....

You trusted me implicitly......

We grew to love each other, and made a commitment to brave this world together.....

A decision I would never regret....


Loving each other in the home we built came easy.....

Facing the outside and all of its challenges was not.......

I was confident that an addition to our family was the answer to our prayers....

We had so much to give......

And so Gunnar, our “work of art” would become our greatest gift to each other......

We would lose our way for a time, but I never lost hope; the connection we shared was too great....


Your patience and kindness drew me to you once again and I reveled in the thought of a second chance...



It would be different this time as we dispelled all expectations and learned to appreciate the tender moments that make life worth living.....


You have left this world and I have no choice but to move on not knowing what could have been, but trusting that our souls will surely meet once again, if not in this life, than in the next.....

As Gunnar and I continue this journey without you, we will always treasure this last year and the special moments we shared.....


You taught me forgiveness, and to follow my heart for it will never betray me....

I always believed you were too good for this world and that you would one day be entrusted with a higher purpose....

You can rest easy knowing you have left Gunnar a most precious legacy, the ability to love....

His heart, like yours so warm and so full of compassion in your memory will touch so many....


Your strength, awe-inspiring.....

Your capacity to love, breathtaking....

Your tenderness, endearing.....

Your wisdom, engaging....


Your soul has taken flight and now resides with the angels,

And when I want to remember you, I will look for you in our son's eyes

The very best of both of us......

Your love forever,
Melissa

Blissful Imprint

I am truly saddened that my sweet Jeffery has passed. He was a blessing to me and many others throughout his life. He was truly a remarkable person. It has taken me a long time to accept what the Lord had in his plan, but rest assured, Jeffery is in heaven and will be waiting for us with a smile. I will miss him, his calm demeanor, his zest for life, and clever humor. He made the world brighter place. His memory will live on and continue to be a reminder that a person can be a blessing to others. He always set a higher standard not only for himself, but he also motivated others to achieve their best. He embodied the full sense of an adventurous, honest, fun, loving, compassionate, and humorous individual. He lived, laughed, loved all things and the people that entered his life. He will be truly missed.
I thought this prayer was fitting to reflect Jeff's time here on this earth. His spiritual walk was truly a testimony of his life.
A prayer from his favorite movie -The Book Eli
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the strength and the conviction to complete the task you entrusted to me. Thank you for guiding me straight and true through the many obstacles in my path. And for keeping me resolute when all around seemed lost. Thank you for your protection and your many signs along the way. Thank you for any good that I may have done, I'm so sorry about the bad. Thank you for the friend I made. Please watch over her as you watched over me. Thank you for finally allowing me to rest. I'm so very tired, but I go now to my rest at peace. Knowing that I have done right with my time on this earth. I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith.

To do more for others than you do for yourself.

For you my sweet jhb,
You have left a blissful imprint and many blessings upon many lives that will live on our hearts, as well as the fond memories of our time with you this earth.

I will miss and love you forever.

Many prayers and blessings for your Precious Gunnar and your family.

oh nooo i just saerched fb and saw that my old friend jeff passed away in august what a schock! i remember we were best friends and im grateful i contacted him not so long ago. we use to hang out back in the 70's then he moved to colorado and i never saw him again. ill miss you old friend we'll be cooking up a brew someday up yonder God bless you

Out of the clear blue, something told me to "google" Jeff. I was suprised and then shocked and saddened to read the news. I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond and happy memories of Jeff, always a challenge but never a chore. The entire family will be in my prayers.

Jeff was one of those people I experienced at the CIA that left his mark on me...with his presence, his humor, and his charm, he made my time there! He will be missed, the world is a dimmer place without a person like Jeff.

Jeff you will be missed you made the time at the CIA that much more enjoyable. My deepest sympathies go out to your family.

Your Friend,
Bernie Davis

The news of Jeff's passing just reached me and i can't express my sorrow and devistation. Jeff was a friend, classmate (at CIA) and co-worker, at The Vintage Club. Jeff always brought humor and excitement to those of us he touched. I regret that I lost contact with Jeff over the years and want to express my sympathies to the Blackmun Family. Your loss is felt with a heavy heart by me, Jamie Cordova and Allison Owens. We were Jeff's band of Gypsies at the CIA.
Jeff - I know you are making them laugh in Heaven, God bless You!
Your friend,
Derek Ellerkamp

Dear Gunnar,
Aunt Jill and Uncle Jim here.
Your Poppa gave you some incredible genes. I bet one day you will melt the hearts of everybody you meet...just like he did with his great big heart and winning smile. He was so special to us that we named our own son after him!
Your Poppa knows you are safe and and knows you have a great big family who love you just like we love him. God cares so much for all of us but He needed your Poppa the most right now. When you say your prayers at night, remember we will keep you and him in ours.
Love, Aunt Jill and Uncle Jim

Jeff had a special calmness and presence that came into a room when he did. I am so sorry for your loss.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

It was my priviledge to be asked to be
Jeff's Godmother when he was born.

The great smile of his, that so many people are mentioning, became a part of Jeff at a very early age. Didn't matter if you were scolding him or praising him, that smile could just melt your heart.

Jeff has passed that smile on to his son Gunnar and very time I see it on his sweet face, I will think of my Godson and know that he is in Heaven watching over his family.

God bless You all! Patricia Parker

Gunnar and Papa Adventure List #1

Echo Canyon River Expeditions--Big Horn Sheep half-day trip.
Canyon City Prison museum tour on your way back from river rafting.
Indoor Skydiving Vertical Wind Tunnel, Lone Tree, CO.
Dog Sledding and Snowmobiling in Breckenridge, CO.
Lone Duck Campground by Woodland Park, CO family-owned Cabins and Fishing pond.
Rent ATV's.
Mountain Biking.
Hiking Barr Trail in Colorado Springs.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Broadmoor Pools Indoor and Outdoor
Thanksgivings in Chicago with cousins Harrison and Jason.

Dear Blackmun Family,

I'm so deeply saddened by the news. Jeff was a great guy and he always brought a smile to my face. His love for his son Gunnar knew no bounds. Jeff would always tell me about his "beautiful boy". He was a very proud papa and a very kind-hearted man.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Blackmun Family and especially with Jeff's beautiful boy, Gunnar.

God bless your family during this sad time. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

I always admired Jeff's willingness to help anyone who asked for it. Being the recipient of his help on a beautiful Saturday morning, moving from a second story apartment into a townhome. He didn't complain or make me feel like I had put him out. Jeff gave of his time and life to make those lives around his easier. He will be missed.

I will always remember Jeff with a big smile....he was one of the funniest and brightest people I have had the privilege of working with in our industry. When he was at RTM and I was at Arby's

On July 19, my mother passed away from a long illness, and while sick in the hospital at the time he texted me: "She is having the greatest day of her life. One that never ends. Lucky Gal. ;)".

Jeff was a seeker - whether it be for the next "first, best, only" culinary creation, or for the path to peace for all. He developed an unwavering faith which not only carried him, but often bouyed others. His sardonic wit had its place in that too, and that is one of the more unforgettable things about him for me.

One of his favorite movies was "The Book of Eli", and one line became his credo - "Do more for others than you do for yourself". That brings to mind a few more of his favorite things:
Every minute with or about Gunnar,
A good workout - including a sauna
His blue gym bag - as beat up as it was it had "just the right organizational options",
Pure chocolate,
Fresca,
The color yellow,
The song "Freebird",
"CSI" and "Bones",
Practical jokes and just plain goofing on people,
A good day's work,
Getting his car washed,
His family and home in Colorado.

My life has been forever changed by knowing Jeff and I know, as he did, that he is in a glorious place with his eternal Father, and that we will all be with him again one day. Meanwhile, fly high, Freebird!
I love you.

In fondest memory of Jeff, and his soaring spirit.

I will always remember Jeff with a big smile. He was one of the funniest and smartest people I have worked with in our industry. I can remember our fun rivalries when he was at RTM and I was at Arby's ...he was always able to find the humor in what we were trying to achieve. He was a great person and a wonderful father who had passion for everything that he did. I will really miss him.

This news saddens me deeply. I was very close with Jeff during our days together at Arby's. Sending out thoughts and prayers for Jeff's family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

I remember many times when I had lost hope and couldn't see out of the storm, Jeff always brought levity and made me feel like things were going to be o.k. He was always kind, compassionate and reached out his hand to those in need. He never turned down an opportunity to help another person and sought out places where he could be of service. He talked so highly of his family and helped me so many times when I was in need. He will be missed tremendously by me and countless others. May God bless you and your family. I know you will be watching over us.

Uncle Jeff,

You taught me how to truly love and support another person; be that a friend, a family member or a perfect stranger. I will always smile in remembrance of all the special times we spent together, like our dinner party group, and how you told me that if I were in jail for some reason that I should call you before any other person because you had connections.

My one regret is not getting a basic recipe for your spaghetti and meatballs, even though it changes every time you make it, I have never tasted anything as good.

I love you and will be forever inspired by you.

Lauren