Harley Blackford
February 20, 1954 - March 07, 2024
Obituary
Harley Leo Blackford, 70, of Billings, Montana, peacefully passed away March 7, 2024. Harley was surrounded by his family during his final days. He was born February 20, 1954, in Billings, Montana to Glen and Eva (Nedens) Blackford. Harley was the youngest of 5 siblings. Harley married his high school sweetheart, Judy Bailey on April 3rd, 1973, in Billings, Montana.
He delivered groceries across western Montana as an Associated Foods employee for over 30 years. Harley's children would get a few opportunities over the years to join him on one of his routes, helping to unload groceries at stores. Harley's many positive relationships with store employees became apparent to his children on these cherished trips. It was during his truck driving years that Harley rushed to a family's aid on the highway, with a fire extinguisher in hand he single handedly put out the family's car fire. Harley's actions that day were written up in a company newsletter that his entire family was proud to often read.
Harley's unselfish acts continued into his next career, self-employed construction and remodeling contractor starting in 2001. He quickly put to work his many skills learned working on the family farm and helping family and friends with their home projects. Harley's relationships with his new clients led to many new jobs by word of mouth but most importantly repeatedly working for the same clients until his last days with us. His family would sometimes lend a second set of hands for a cumbersome task at a job site. It was during these opportunities to help him that Harley's family realized these were not just clients but new friends. He was often found playing with his new friend's pets on the job site and was teased that they were going to be assigned as his foreman to keep him on task!
When visiting his grandchildren, Harley loved to tease them and make them laugh. Purposely calling them by the wrong name just to get a rile out of them was not uncommon. Winners of the arm-wrestling contests between him and his grandchildren were often in doubt. Letting them get the upper hand until he found the strength to pin their smaller arms in the end, always followed up with lots of laughter.
Harley enjoyed many outdoor activities such as golfing, camping, shooting guns, and riding motorcycles. If he was doing it with friends and family Harley was up for it.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Glen. He is survived by the love of his life Judy Blackford; daughter Tracey (Warren) Pospisil of Billings, Montana; son Jason (Carole) Blackford of Billings, Montana; daughter Kelly Blackford of Lewistown, Montana; daughter Chantal (Josh) Bureau of Billings, Montana; sister Caryl Davis of Casper, Wyoming; brother Byrl (Rosalind) Blackford of Billings, Montana; brother Thomas (Colleen) Blackford of Billings, Montana; and seven grandchildren Dishanna Miller, Chance Miller, Kara Pospisil, Mya Pospisil, Madison Johnston, Marilynn Bureau, and Ezra Bureau.
Per Harley's wishes, there will be no services held. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com. Memorial contributions can be made to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, MT.