Gene Blackburn

September 21, 1930 - August 24, 2013 Eugene Spencer Blackburn, 82, of Statesville, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. He was born in Boone on September 21, 1930, to the late Earl and Susan Blackburn. Gene retired from the United States Air Force and retired from the City of Woodland Park, CO, as a Code Enforcement Officer. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Troutman, NC. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Larry and Kimberly; step daughters, Nannette and Misty; granddaughter, Natasha; and siblings, William, Betty, Mary Frances, Lois, and Roy. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Murel. The family will receive friends from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening, August 29 at Troutman Funeral Home and from 1 - 2 p.m. on Friday, August 30 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 with the Rev. Tom Corbell officiating. Interment with full military rites will be held at the National Cemetery in Salisbury earlier in the day at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC, 28625 and to the Social Ministry Fund, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Troutman, NC 28166. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com. Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Gene Blackburn.