Milledgeville, Georgia - Arthur Newton "Rudy" Blackwell, 101, passed away Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at the chapel of Moores Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Bradley officiating. Burial to follow in Memory Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Blackwell was born in Hardwick, Georgia March 21, 1923, to the late Arthur Newton and Sophie Allen Blackwell. He was a retired employee of Central State Hospital. Mr. Blackwell served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Milwaukee CL-5 in the Atlantic Fleet from 1942-44 doing patrol and escort duties. This included making the Murmansk Run to Russia. Later on he helped build a harbor at Omaha Beach for unloading supplies after the Normandy Invasion. In early 1945 he helped commission the USS Chicago CA-136 and then headed to the Pacific and joined the 3rd Fleet. He also served as part of the task force that bombarded the home islands of Japan. In September 1945 they entered Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender ceremony. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Virginia Grimes Blackwell, and daughter, Gail Blackwell O'Shields.

Survivors include his two sons, Bob Blackwell (Shirley) of Gadsden, Alabama and Billy Blackwell of Milledgeville, Georgia; a brother, Max Blackwell of Coopers; and a grandson, Blake O'Shields of Denedin, Florida.

The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 3 from 4 until 5 p.m. at Moores Funeral Home.

Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Wounded Warriors.

Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.