Howard Blackburn

Mr. Blackburn, 97, of Leesville, died in his home on Thursday, June 2, 2016. He was raised in the logging camps of Rapides and Vernon parish. He graduated from Simpson High School. He went to work for KCS railroad in 1942 and retired in 1980. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. When stationed in England he received the Bronze Star for keeping his air craft in flight longest in history which saved the pilot after making a long bombing run. He was one of the last World War II veterans in our community. He was a Mason with Masonic Lodge #253 in Toro 32nd degree, and a Shriner with the El Karubah Shrine Temple in Shreveport.

After his retirement he was active in the first United Methodist Church where he was a member. Mr. Blackburn was active in many areas of his community. He was curator for third street museum, Museum of West LA, Kiwanis, he was in fact the oldest and last charter member of the Kiwanis, he was one of the founders of the Kiwanis chapter, he was interviewed for the World War II museum in New Orleans, KCS retirement club, and many other groups in Leesville and Vernon Parish. He was a history buff and also gave talks on the logging woods, steam engines, and diesel engines. He was also very knowledgeable about the history of New Llano and gave many talks about it.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Allene Blackburn; father and mother, Ernest Blackburn and Maude Blackburn; his mother – in – law, Nellie B. Stark; three sisters, Lurlene Stalsbury, Billie Armand, and Beth Gallant.

Those left to cherish his memory are, two sons and their wives, Jimmy, and Maureen Blackburn of Carriere, MS, and Wayne and Charlotte Blackburn of Shreveport, LA; one sister, JoLynn Maher of Alexandria, VA; nine grandchildren, Lisa, Byron, and Stuart Blackburn, Sherrie and Ron Griffith, Michael and Shannon Blackburn, Kathryn and David Caskey; fourteen great – grandchildren, Josh, Nick, Matthew, Cameron Blackburn, Chelsea Tarver, Micah and Nicholas Paola, Hanna Lout, Jaci Brooks, Kryssie and Chad Tingle, Lindsey Todd, and Olivia, Jacob, and Jonathan; one great – great – grandchild, Khloe Griffith; many nieces and nephews as well as very dear friends.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 6, 2016, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Hixson Funeral Home of Leesville and again Tuesday, June 7, 2016 from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church in Leesville. Services will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Leesville, LA. with Pastor Angela Bulhof officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Leesville, LA.

The family requests that memorials be made in lieu of flowers to one of the following; First United Methodist Church, 202 North 5th Street, Leesville, LA 71446, Kiwanis of Vernon, P.O. Box 1873, Leesville, LA 71496 or Shriners Hospital, P.O. Box 1265, Leesville, LA 71496.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting our online register at www.hixsonfh.com