Brandon Blackstock’s family and closest friends gathered recently to celebrate his life, just days after his passing on August 7 from melanoma. Blackstock, the former husband of Kelly Clarkson, leaves behind not only a remarkable career and enduring friendships but also the legacy he cherished most deeply—his role as a father.
A Quiet Farewell
The memorial took place in Montana, a place Blackstock held close to his heart. According to Us Weekly, those closest to him spent a few days together in an intimate gathering. “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,” a source shared.
The mood was bittersweet—laughter mixing with tears as memories unfolded. Friends remembered Blackstock’s signature sense of humor and playful pranks, moments that softened the sadness with warmth. Time was also spent walking and hiking along the Montana roads he loved, making the remembrance feel both natural and deeply personal.
Moments of Connection
Photos from the weekend offered glimpses into the heartfelt tribute. Music executive Shane Tarleton shared an image on Instagram Stories—later expired—showing a circle of people around a fire pit under the night sky. “@brandonblackstock would’ve loved this night so much,” he wrote. “So many of his fav people in his backyard around a campfire at sunset.”
Hairstylist Amanda Craig also reflected on the gathering, posting a picture with her husband against Montana’s rolling green hills. “We understand why you loved it here so much,” she wrote. “Celebrating your wonderful life over the weekend was a true gift. We love you BB!”
A Partner and a Legacy
At the time of his passing, Blackstock was building a new chapter in life alongside his partner, Brittney Marie Jones. His obituary described their shared journey: “Brandon, along with his beautiful and loving partner in life and business, Brittney Marie Jones, started building a life, building companies, and working tirelessly to create Headwaters Livestock Auction and what will live on as his legacy, The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.”
Jones herself had a history with both Blackstock and Clarkson, having worked as an assistant to each between 2016 and 2018 before stepping away from those roles in 2020—the same year Clarkson filed for divorce.
A Devoted Father Above All
While the obituary made no mention of Clarkson, it placed enormous emphasis on Blackstock’s most cherished role: fatherhood. “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. 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.”
River, 11, and Remington, 9, whom he shared with Clarkson, were central to that legacy, as were his older children Savannah and Seth.
Clarkson’s Quiet Support
Blackstock and Clarkson’s divorce was contentious, involving disputes over property in Montana and accusations about business dealings. Yet, when it became clear that Blackstock was battling cancer, Clarkson set aside their differences for the sake of their children.
A source told People that Clarkson was quietly protective of her ex-husband during his illness: “When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake. Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She’s been devastated for the kids.”
Though Clarkson did not attend the private Montana memorial, her focus has remained firmly on their children. In recent weeks, she postponed her Las Vegas residency and stepped back from The Voice—with Jennifer Hudson announced as her replacement—so she could devote her energy to supporting River and Remington through their grief.
A Life Remembered
Brandon Blackstock’s story is marked by love, laughter, ambition, and devotion. From his Montana ventures to the intimate campfire circles where his friends and family remembered him, the tributes spoke less of his public persona and more of the man who loved the simple joys of nature, humor, and family.
For those who knew him, his memory now lives in the roads he walked, the firelight where laughter was shared, and most profoundly, in the four children who remain his greatest legacy.
