Dr. Dwight Blackwelder

Dr. Harold Dwight Blackwelder, 68, of Statesville, passed away, Sunday, August 31, 2014 surrounded by his family. Dr. Blackwelder was born May 27, 1946 in Davie County to Thomas A. Blackwelder and Mattie Sue Smith Blackwelder. He grew up on a dairy farm with his parents and his two younger brothers, Doug and Dale. Dwight graduated Davie County High School, completed his pre veterinary studies at North Carolina State University and received his doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia in 1971. After his association with Animal Hospital of Statesville, Dr. Blackwelder built Statesville Bovine and Equine Clinic. To know "Dr. B", as he was lovingly referred to, was to know a friend, a confidant and an outstanding veterinarian. Through compassion, knowledge and humor, Dr B treated each client as if they were his only one. Dr. B's stories and laughter could always be heard coming from the treatment room as clients were happily put to work. Outside of his time at the clinic, bass and striper fishing were Dwight's passion surpassed only by his love of sharing fishing tails with his network of special friends and clients. During his time at NC State he was inducted into the academic fraternity of Alpha Zeta and an active member of the Farm House Fraternity. In addition, he was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, AVMA , a lifetime member NCVMA and was a member of Rotary Club of Greater Statesville and served as their President 1996-1997 and also received the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth "Libby" Cooke Blackwelder; son John Travis Blackwelder and wife Lisa Baucom of Mocksville, NC; daughter Kimry Suzanne Blackwelder of New York City; brothers Doug Blackwelder and wife Mary and Dale Blackwelder and wife Donna of Mocksville,NC. Dwight was proceeded in death by his parents Thomas A. Blackwelder and Mattie Sue Smith Blackwelder. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with Rev. Grant Sharp officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Blackwelder residence, 678 Elmwood Rd., Statesville, NC 28625. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine for Hematology and Oncology, Office of Development, Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021, Bethesda Church Cemetery Trust Fund and to Tabor Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Dr. Dwight Blackwelder.