Ben Lee Blackstock

Ben Blackstock, manager of the Oklahoma Press Association for 44 years, died April 26, 2016. He was 90.

Blackstock was born in Drumright, Okla., on Sept. 4, 1925, to Boyd and Pearl Blackstock.

During World War II, Blackstock served in the U.S. Air Force from 1943-1946 as a B-29 radio operator flying off Tinian, and in the USAF Reserve from 1946-1954.

In 1954, Blackstock married Bonnie Lou Michael Rookstool. They lived in Edmond and Oklahoma City for more than 55 years.

Ben graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He taught journalism and was director of public relations at Central State College in 1951-52, prior to being named Executive Vice President and Secretary of Oklahoma Press Association.

During his 44 years at OPA, he was the recipient of numerous professional honors, including OPA’s Milt Phillips Award, the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award, OKC Ad Club Silver Medal, FOI Oklahoma’s Marian Opala First Amendment Award and the National Newspaper Association Amos Award.

In 1973, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. He also was named a distinguished graduate of the University of Oklahoma journalism school.

Blackstock served as president of the Newspaper Association Managers, American Newspaper Representatives, Oklahoma Society of Association Executives and Sigma Delta Chi.

He also was president of the Edmond Hospital Board, a co-founder of AMCARE and a 76-gallon A-negative blood donor.

Blackstock believed in “the therapy of controversy” and did his best to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

He was a dog lover, a Friend of Bill and an unterrified Democrat.

He is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie; stepson Michael Wayne Rookstool; son Daniel Dana Blackstock; his parents and two brothers, Loy Fowler and Bob Blackstock.

Two children, Sam Blackstock and Melissa Blackstock Edwards, and four grandchildren, Brian Blackstock, Jessica Blackstock, Beau Blackstock and Tiffany Edwards, survive Blackstock.

A service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Oklahoma Judicial Center, 2100 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City.

Donations may be made to the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation, 3601 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or to the dog humanitarian fund of your choice. No flowers, please.