Kelly Clarkson’s Ex Brandon Blackstock Remembered with ‘Special’ Celebration of Life Gathering

Kelly Clarkson’s ex, music manager Brandon Blackstock, passed away on August 7. This tragic news came after he spent years secretly battling cancer. Now, details have emerged about his celebration of life and how it was filled with both tears and laughter. He was 48 years old.

An insider spoke to US Weekly about how they celebrated Blackstock’s life with a special gathering. They said, “Brandon’s closest friends and family gathered over the weekend for a few days to celebrate his life in the place he loved most. It was very private.”

The person continued, “His partner, Brittney [Marie Jones], his family, and his closest friends spent time at his home sharing memories of Brandon and remembering how much he meant to them.”

The source then said of Blackstock’s ceremony, “It was sad and there were tears, but there were also a lot of laughs remembering Brandon’s pranks and sense of humor. It was special for everyone to spend time in Montana walking and hiking the roads Brandon loved so much, and to gather at his home to remember him.”

Blackstock is survived by his first wife, Melissa Ashworth, as well as his second wife, Clarkson. He also leaves behind four children, his parents, and siblings.

Blackstock was Remembered as a Family Man

Blackstock’s obituary was shared by Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services. It stated that Blackstock “was surrounded in his home by his family, who comforted him and lovingly handed him off to his grandparents in heaven, who welcomed him home.”

In discussing who Blackstock was as a person, the document said, “Brandon didn’t do anything halfway. He charged into life with both guns blazing. He was a cowboy… and valued the cowboy way of life. He drove a big truck, rode a good horse, and removed his hat when he introduced himself.”

It continued, “He was a sharpshooter, a man’s man, and a true gentleman. He loved a hard day’s work that started early and finished late.”

However, the obituary also reiterated how much of a family man Blackstock was. Stating, “But never did his star shine brighter than in his role as a father. Nothing mattered to Brandon more than his four beautiful children, Savannah, Seth, River, and Remy.”

Additionally, “To say he was devoted seems cliché. It feels like an overused word, but it is the correct word. He was a devoted father. His four children were and will always be his greatest love and his greatest legacy.”

He Had a Form of Skin Cancer

As mentioned, Blackstock spent years suffering from cancer. Specifically, he had melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. According to PEOPLE, his cause of death was malignant melanoma. His death certificate stated that he had “significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause.”

However, the document also says that Blackstock suffered from seizures, calling them a “significant condition contributing.” He will be missed by many.