Richard Blackwelder

Richard Landon Blackwelder loved trains, RC Cola, Hershey bars and dogs. An icon of Davidson, North Carolina: “I’m famous like a Kennedy in Massachusetts or a Johnson in Texas!” Richard could tell you anything you wanted to know about the town of Davidson, and with his savant memory he never ran out of stories, folklore, and local history.

“I was born on Wednesday, September the 16th, 1936. Yeah, I was born in the old hospital up in Mooresville on Wednesday, September 16th, 1936.”

Richard’s parents, Leroy Joseph Blackwelder and Gladys Thompson Blackwelder, lived in “the big house” off Beaty Road and had a chicken farm on their property. According to Richard they had 3,000 white leghorn chickens that would lay approximately 3,000 eggs a day. 

When Richard was a boy, the Blackwelder family owned a meat market in the current location of Raeford’s Barber Shop on Main Street. The barber shop was one of Richard’s favorite spots where he would visit for a hair cut, a shave, and VIP treatment in the building where he’d spent a lot of time as a child. After a haircut, if you told him he looked good, he’d smile and say: “Thanks to the Lord and thanks to the barbers!”

Richard’s first memory was from being baptized in what is now know as the DUMC chapel on December 27, 1936: “I was 3 months, 11 days old. I remember it a wee bit. It’s small like a light on a Christmas tree. I barely remember- just a wee bit. Like a grain of sand; awfully small. It was snowing, cold and wet. Yeah, I remember it… being baptized in the old church- the old Methodist Church across the street.”

Richard attended the Davidson School (which is now Davidson Town Hall) and graduated from North Mecklenburg high school when he was 21 years old: “Shakespeare gave me trouble. You had to have Shakespeare to graduate- I couldn’t do much with Shakespeare. Algebra, too, and that might ‘a been harder than Shakespeare…you’re not kiddin’! But I did it, oh yeah.”

Richard’s life was not easy: “When I think about this life, it’s been a desert- a hot dry desert.” His dad died when Richard was 18; and his mom died in 1977, leaving him alone with no family.

“I had to look after myself. I were a destitute ‘cause I didn’t have any work; we run outta chickens. I didn’t have any money after Momma passed away. I slept on a worn out couch, shut the doors and pulled my shirt over my head. It was the awfullest time of my life. The roof caved in in some places. I likely froze to death, but I had a lot of dogs. Well, not so many dogs, but Bo had pups and her pups had pups. Bo was my favorite.”

Richard’s great pride was his Habitat for Humanity house at 955 Shearer Street. It was built for him after his home was condemned and demolished and Mike Mittleman, a local banker and DUMC member, stepped in to help Richard out. They donated Richard’s 3 acres of land to Habitat, which became a community of ten homes- including Richard’s- that were built by local volunteers for families in the area. The street was named “Blackwelder Drive” and Richard was written up in the Charlotte Observer and Mecklenburg Gazette after his blue home was dedicated. Richard loved to make copies of the articles to share with everyone he met.

Richard lived for many years in his home with his dogs, Blackie and then Brownie. When Richard talked about how his dogs came into his life he said, “religion’s got something to do with that…I want all my pets with me in the hereafter…wanna have a big party for ‘em.

When Richard was a boy he would stand outside and wave to the trains that passed by. He memorized the 72 train stops between Charlotte and Washington, DC and could recite them in one long string of southern towns.

Richard was well known for telling people what day of the week they were born on after being told their birthdate. He would mentally meander back through time, recalling what he did in this year and on that day; making note of the weather or what was going on in the news; when was leap year; what big events had happened and when. Then he’d pause and land on the the day of the week on which you were born. He was always right.

Richard wanted to live to be 129 years old. “I don’t want to go any higher than that. That’s as far as I wanna go. Although, when my last day comes, I’m sure I’m gonna want a few more days, I’m telling you the truth!”

He made a lot of friends at the Soda Shop and at the Brickhouse, and he reminded those who knew and loved him of what was important in life - a barber shop where everyone belongs, a hot dog and french fries, and a community to share your stories with. Oh, and definitely a dog or two to keep you company: “Gee whiz, yeah!”

If you brought Richard some Cola or paper towels or peanut butter or chewing tobacco, he never failed to say: “May God bless you for all this!” And when he had health struggles he loved knowing he was on the prayer list at “the Methodist Church.” Each time Richard said goodbye, his final words were always the same: “Thank you for coming, come by anytime!” Upbeat and sincere. He’d be waiting for you to come by again.

“I try to do better as I go along. Some people do worse as they go along; I try to do better.”

Richard Landon Blackwelder passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025. He was 88 years old. It’s hard to imagine a world without Richard. He was a treasure. Davidson is a better place because Richard Landon Blackwelder was in it.

Friends of Richard will gather at the chapel of Davidson United Methodist Church on Monday, March 24 at 11:00 am to remember and celebrate Richard’s life.