Easton D. Blackburn

Easton Dwight Blackburn Easton D. (Deke) Blackburn, 81, our beloved and loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away December 27, 2013 after an extensive illness. He was born August 2, 1932, in Orderville, UT to Easton and LaVon Cram Blackburn. In 1953 Deke moved to Henderson, NV and began working at Titanium Metals Corp. (TIMET). He proudly served in the U.S. Army, HCPTR Division (Army Helicopter), and was stationed at bases in the U.S. and near Munchen, Germany. He married his sweetheart Juana Williams on July 9, 1955, and their marriage was solemnized on December 7, 1963, in the St. George, UT LDS Temple. After military service Deke returned to TIMET where he worked until retirement in 1988. In 1969 he was promoted to TIMET Safety Director, later working in the same capacity for Frehner Construction, Co. and Sanders Construction, Inc. Deke graduated from Valley High School, Orderville, UT, Class of 1950, received his Associate Degree in Business Management from the College of Southern Utah (now Sothern Utah University) and continued his education at Clark County Community College receiving an Associate Degree in Safety. During his long and broad career, he was appointed by Nevada Governor Mike O’Callahan to his Labor Management Advisory Board, earned his Professional Engineer (P.E.), certification and Certified Hazard Control Manager Classification. Nominated as Outstanding Safety Professional in the State of Nevada, he served as president of the American Society of Safety Engineers of Southern Nevada. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deke served in many ward and stake callings, including Bishop, Sunday School President, Elders Quorum President (8 years), Stake Executive Secretary, Stake High Counselor twice, Ward Mission Leader, Ward Family History Consultant, Stake Employment Specialist, and Home Teacher, plus over 7 years as a worker in the Las Vegas, NV LDS Temple. He and Juana fulfilled an LDS mission together, in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. Deke gave of himself through service and was a giant of a man in stature, compassion, and love for all. Most of all he loved his family and those he had associations with along his journey through life. He was an avid sportsman and photographer, capturing treasured memories for posterity. Survivors include his wife of 58 years Juana Blackburn; two sons, Easton D. Blackburn, Jr, and Gregory W. (Trina) Blackburn; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two sisters Bonnie (Richard) Henrie, Betty (Barry) Barnum; three brothers, Von (Mavis) Blackburn, Clair (Terilyn) Blackburn, and William (Sheryl) Blackburn; sister-in-law Doreen Blackburn and brother-in-law Marlow B. (Becky) Williams. He was preceded in death by his precious daughter Valorie Blackburn, parents, brother John Barrie Blackburn and sister LuDean Blackburn. Visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2014 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. at Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV. Saturday, January 4, visitation will be 10:30 -11:45 a.m. with services at noon at the Cholla LDS Chapel, 303 S. Cholla St., Henderson, NV 89015. Interment to follow at Palm Cemetery. Services handled by Palm Mortuary, Henderson, NV.