George Steven Blackwood

DURHAM – Retired Command Sergeant Major George Steven “Steve” Blackwood, age 81, died on December 27, 2025, at PruittHealth Carolina Point. He was born on June 8, 1944, to the late George Marvin Blackwood and Sarah Blackwood Rogers.

Steve graduated from Southern High School in Durham in 1962. In 1965, he enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard. He was assigned to various positions in the 130th Signal Battalion, the 1131st Signal Company, and the 30th Support Group, all Stationed at the Durham Armory. In 1975, he was hired into the Civil Service Program, a full-time position, assigned as an Administrative and Supply Technician in Durham. In 1980, he was assigned to the NC National Guard Headquarters in Raleigh in the personnel section. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1982. He was among the first National Guard soldiers to attend the resident US Army Sergeants Major Academy. While there he was the first reserve component graduate to receive the AUSA Award for Excellence for his outstanding leadership abilities. In 1987, he was selected as the State Command Sergeant Major for the North Carolina Army National Guard. In 1988, he was selected to serve in the position of Command Sergeant Major, Army National Guard, in Washington, D.C. As the senior enlisted advisor, he advised on all enlisted matters with special emphasis on training and quality of life issues while also acting as a representative and advocate for the over 350,000 soldiers in the 50 states 3 territories and District of Columbia to both Army leadership and members of Congress. In 1994, he returned to NC National Guard State Headquarters in various roles including secretary to the General Staff. He retired from the Army National Guard on June 30, 2004 with over 39 years of service to his state and our great nation. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, The North Carolina Distinguished Service Medal, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, as well as numerous other Federal and State awards.

After Steve retired in 2004 from the North Carolina Army National Guard, he returned as the Secretary to the General Staff in a contract position. In addition, he worked in Casualty Assistance Office at Ft. Bragg. From 2007-2010, he worked for Oak Grove Technologies as the Program Manager for Iraq Operations. He returned to the Pentagon as the Special Assistant to Director Army National Guard from January 2012 to January 2014. Following his second stint at the Pentagon, he returned to Oak Grove Technologies as the Vice President of Operations from March 2016 to March of 2017.

Steve loved to spend time with his family and friends at their lake house at Kerr Lake. He also enjoyed taking motorcycle trips with his friends, attending as many Carolina sporting events as possible, and spending time with his dogs. He also was an active member at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.

Steve is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Plonski Blackwood, his sons, Jeff Blackwood and wife, Brantley of Durham; Joe Blackwood and his wife, Laura, of York, PA; his grandchildren, Lainey, Kirbey, Connor, Evan, Chloe Blackwood. He is also survived by his nephew, John Goswick of Manalapan, NJ and his niece, Anne Browning of Durham.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Penny Curran.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Rev Barrett Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

Friends may visit from 4:00-6:00 PM Friday, January 2, 2026 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Preschool of the Warm Heart or Grief Oasis both affiliated with Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

The Blackwood family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.