The passing of Respected Jurist Jonathan Kerry Blackwood marks the end of an era for the Knoxville legal community and East Tennessee’s judicial system. The former Circuit Judge and Senior Judge, who served with distinction across multiple counties, died on February 16, 2026, at his residence in Mentone, Alabama. He was 78 years old.

Born on June 30, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Jimmie and Alese Blalock Blackwood, Judge Blackwood earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Tennessee for a decade before ascending to the bench. He served as Circuit Judge for the 25th Judicial District—covering five counties in East Tennessee—for 20 years, followed by a decade as a Senior Judge presiding over cases statewide across all 95 counties until his retirement.

During his time as a Senior Judge in Knox County, Judge Blackwood handled numerous significant cases with fairness and resolve. He presided over a high-profile matter in the early 2000s involving citizens and the local newspaper, which ultimately led to the removal of an elected official from office. He also conducted retrials in some of Knoxville’s most serious and horrific criminal cases, stepping in after questions arose regarding the original trial judge’s competence as the “13th juror” due to impairment from prescription medications.

One case held particular personal significance. In 2013, then-Knox County Republican Party Chair Ruth Kuhlman filed a libel and slander lawsuit against local political blogger Brian Hornback (also a former Knox County GOP chair and operator of the “Shock and Awe” blog), seeking $100,000 in damages over several allegedly false statements. The case proceeded through discovery and multiple show-cause hearings. Hornback’s counsel, expert attorney Wayne Wykoff assisted by associate Chris Ivey, filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.

As the summer of 2015 drew to a close, Judge Blackwood expressed his desire to resolve the motion before his impending retirement on September 1, 2015. He mentioned plans to retire to the Savannah, Georgia area and emphasized that after that date, any unresolved matters would transfer to a new judge, potentially leading to a full trial. Oral arguments on the summary judgment motion took place in late August. On September 11, 2015, the court granted the motion, dismissing the case in favor of the defendant. The ruling in Kuhlman v. Hornback affirmed the importance of free speech protections in political discourse and brought the matter to a successful conclusion under Judge Blackwood’s final rulings.

Judge Blackwood’s dedication to justice, his steady hand in challenging cases, and his commitment to the rule of law left a lasting impact on the communities he served.

Rest well, Sir. Your service is remembered and appreciated.

(Obituary details sourced from public notices, including those published by the Knoxville News Sentinel and Wilson Funeral Home.)