Charles Edward Blackburn, Sr.,

Funeral services for Charles Edward Blackburn, Sr., age 77, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2003, in the First United Presbyterian Church with Don Stone of Clarendon and Rick Massick, Minister, officiating.  Masonic graveside services and interment were held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Mr. Blackburn died Tuesday, February 4, 2003, in Amarillo.  He was born January 20, 1926, in Tasco, Kansas, and was a resident of Armstrong County before moving to Clarendon in 1944. He married Gladys Marie Hardin on  March 2, 1944, at Goodnight.  He was a farmer most of his life and was a Deputy Sheriff in Donley County for 15 years before retiring.  He was a 50-year member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, the Royal Arch Masons, the Royal and Selected Master Masons, and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 6.  He was also a member of the Knights Templar and was a Cub Scout Pack Leader for 13 years and assisted with Boy Scout campouts and projects.  He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Clarendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. and Elsie Faye Hoover Blackburn, and a brother, Robert I. Blackburn, in 1993.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys Blackburn of Clarendon; two daughters, Marie Risley of Amarillo and Tammy Spivey of Ralls; one son, Charles E. “Butch” Blackburn, Jr., of Clarendon; one brother, William O. Blackburn of Ravensdale, Washington; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

Casket bearers were Maurice Risley, Allen Estlack, Roger Estlack, Will Chamberlain, Morris Crump, and L.D. Robinson.  Honorary bearers were members of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700.

The family requests that memorials be to the First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon, the Clarendon Masonic Lodge, or Crown of Texas Hospice in Amarillo.