Ronald Wayne Blacklidge, Sr.

Ronald Wayne “Ronnie” Blacklidge, Sr., 75, of Gulfport, MS, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 27, 2025.

Ronnie was born in Gulfport, MS, on November 14, 1949, to Elden Ray Blacklidge of Gulfport and Dorothy Scruggs Blacklidge of Hattiesburg. He grew up in Gulfport and remained a lifelong resident. After graduating from Gulfport High School, where he played football, Ronnie attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and was a proud member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

Ronnie was a member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. He was also a member of The Great Southern Club, Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulf Coast Carnival Association, Krewe of Neptune, Les Cavaliers and many asphalt associations.

Ronnie truly paved the way in the road construction industry. In 1979, he founded Southland Enterprises, Inc. which helped provide infrastructure for Highway 90 and several locations along the Mississippi Coast. In 1989, he founded Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc. (BEI) which grew to supply innovative asphalt products across the United States. In addition to interstates, highways, and airport runways, BEI has provided asphalt products for many prestigious locations including NASCAR and Formula 1 tracks, Pennsylvania Avenue and The White House.

Ronnie loved traveling, fishing, and especially boating. He hosted many memorable fishing trips aboard “The Rainmaker” and “The Digger IV” and enjoyed cruising the waters on “The Perfect Lady” with his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Wayne Blacklidge, Jr.; his brother, Raymond Allen “Randy” Blacklidge; and his parents, Elden Ray and Dorothy Scruggs Blacklidge.

Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Becky Brock Blacklidge; his children, Virginia “Ginger” Blacklidge Hyatt (Wade) of Nashville, Roy Brittany Blacklidge (Courtney), Jennifer Leeann Weaver (Ryan), and Christopher Brock Pittman; and his grandchildren, Tanner Anderson Blacklidge (Savannah), Samuel Wade Hyatt, John Chalmers Hyatt, William Henry Hyatt, Alex Ward Blacklidge, Blakeley Daine Blacklidge, and Addison Kaye Gamberi.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Doug Lanier, Dr. Paul Mullin, Dr. Robert Tullos, and Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care, compassion, and support during Ronnie’s final days. The family extends special thanks to Chris Radix, Shanna Smith, Sunny Ladner, Mike Andrews, and Jerry Birmingham for their unwavering support during this difficult time. Your kindness and grace have been a beacon of light.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Gulfport. A funeral service will follow at 4:00 PM. Entombment will take place at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi (www.hssm.org), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), or a charity of your choice.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Blacklidge family.