Byron Lloyd Blackmore

Byron passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024 at his home in Sun City West, Arizona. He was a loving husband, and a devoted father and grandfather. He was well known for his talents and commitment as a church organist.
Byron was born on March 24, 1935 in Flint, Michigan to Cecil and Lorraine Blackmore. He was the oldest of four sons: Byron, Neil, Gary, and David.
He graduated from Flushing High School in 1953, where he was valedictorian of his senior class. He was an active high school musician and piano accompanist for several choral groups. He became a church organist in 1950, when he was a freshman in high school.
Byron attended Michigan State University, earning a B.M. in music in 1957 and a M.M. in music in 1958. His graduate work in organ performance and church music organ performance and church music continued at Syracuse University, the University of Illinois, and Northwestern University.
Following his graduation from MSU, Byron taught vocal music in the Flint, Michigan public schools for a brief time before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He became a chaplain assistant at Ft. Meade, Maryland, when he played the organ and directed U.S. Army chapel choirs.
In 1959 while at Ft. Meade, he married the love of his life, Mary Lou Watchorn from Flint, Michigan. In the fall of 1960 they moved to Decatur, Illinois, where Byron became full-time organist-director of music at Grace United Methodist Church.
In 1965 they moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin where Byron was organist-director of music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for 32 years and taught organ at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse for 25 years. He gave annual fall organ recitals at his church in La Crosse. He also helped establish an annual Lenten organ recital series. Byron also had a career as a Financial Planner for several years with American Express Financial Services in La Crosse.
Byron became well-known as an organ teacher in western Wisconsin and nearby communities in Minnesota. He had many gifted students who became excellent organists and respected church musicians. He served as a role-model for many who are still active musicians today.
Byron and Mary Lou retired in 1997 and moved to Sun City West, AZ. Byron became organist at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in 1999 and gave many organ recitals in the greater Phoenix area. Byron and Mary Lou loved the warmth and sunshine of Arizona, as well as the many wonderful friends they made in the area.
Byron and Mary Lou have three loving children Rachel Lord (Steve), Joel Blackmore (Maria), and Neil Blackmore (Julie), as well as five beautiful grandchildren-Natasha, Ethan, Olivia, Lucy and Henry.
Byron was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gary and his wife Mary Lou. He is survived by brothers Neil and David.
A memorial service will be held in the spring in Sun City West, AZ. Memorial donations can be made to the music department at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, AZ.