Brent Reed Blackburn, 70, died peacefully at his home in Angleton, TX, on Nov. 6, 2016.
Brent was born June 21, 1946, in American Falls, ID, to Quinton Geruard Blackburn and Velda Mae McKnight. He spent his lifetime in Springfield, ID, and Texas, other than the time he was in the military.
Brent was the second oldest child of seven boys and grew up on a family farm milking cows, hauling hay, and riding horses. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Aaronic Priesthood and Boy Scouts of America as a young man. Brent attended school in Springfield and Aberdeen High School and enjoyed playing the accordion and driving his Pontiac GTO. Brent’s favorite sport was always football, lettering in that sport for three years in high school. He was an avid Houston Oilers fan until the day he died. Brent graduated from high school in 1964 and began serving his country in the US Air Force on May 3, 1965. He saw active duty in Da Nang, Vietnam and achieved the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1968.
On April 17, 1969, Brent was married to Connie Ann Schritter and to that marriage was born a son, Daniel S. Blackburn who died at birth. Brent and Connie moved to Houston, Texas where he was trained as an optician. Brent enjoyed helping others through his work as an optician and at one point owned his own business – Blackburn Optical. Many benefited from his talent and expertise in the optical field for over 35 years. Brent and Connie were divorced in 1978.
On August 26, 1978 Brent Married Edna Elizabeth Lee (Sue). In 2008, Brent left the optical field and was trained to drive over the road trucks and trailers. He enjoyed the work and specialized in pulling tankers. He crisscrossed the country in long hauls many times. Family members from Washington to Tennessee were rewarded with his occasional visits.
Brent is survived by his brothers, Kevin M (Connie) Blackburn of Aberdeen, ID, Varon Quinton (Verena) Blackburn of Kennewick, WA, Parker M (Diana) Blackburn of Blue Springs, MO, and Joel M (Botswana) Blackburn of Columbia, MO. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law Marlene Rounds of Rexburg, ID, and June Thomas of Bountiful, UT. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue; his parents Quinton and Velda Blackburn; brothers, Terrell M Blackburn and Chad M Blackburn.
A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date in Springfield. Brent will be laid to rest in the Springfield Cemetery near his brothers Terrell and Chad. Condolences can be sent to varonblackburn@gmail.com to be shared with the family. The family would like to thank Aaron Owens, a respected friend and neighbor for his unwavering and Christian like service and care to Brent and Sue.
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