~ IN MEMORY ~
CDR USNR-Ret. & DL pilot Alan Jeffery ‘Jeff’ Blackburn Jr.
February 23, 1954 - August 17, 2012
Notification of the passing of Navy veteran CDR USNR-Ret. and Delta pilot Alan Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Blackburn, age 58. Jeff hired on with Delta 09-04-1997 and retired in 2011. Jeff passed away in his sleep Friday the 17th following a brief illness.
To view/sign the online guestbook please visit http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=Alan-BLACKBURN&pid=159318973 or the funeral home website at http://www.byarsfuneralhome.com/obituaries
Survived by his wife Karen personal condolences may be sent to
125 Sir Lancelot Ct., Fayetteville GA 30214-3679 ..... (770) 461-9457
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Obituary:
BLACKBURN, Alan Alan Jeffrey "Jeff" Blackburn, CDR USNR-(Ret) Jeff Blackburn passed away in his sleep Friday August 17, 2012 following a short illness. He was 58 years old. Born in Oakland California on February 23, 1954, Jeff graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy. He proudly served a 20 year career which included tours of duty as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot in VAW- 113 and VAW 110, flying off the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS Coral Sea. He was also assigned to the Naval Reserve Center in Miramar, CA; VR-58 flying C-9 aircraft, Jacksonville, Florida; VR-48 at NAF Andrews flying C-118 aircraft. He retired as a Commander after 20 years of service. After completing his Navy career, Jeff was hired by Delta Airlines, flying Boeing 757- 767 aircraft out of Atlanta. He retired from Delta in 2011. Jeff is survived by his wife, Karen (Foster) Blackburn and three children, Ashley Blackburn, Alexis Blackburn and A. J. Blackburn. He is also survived by his mother, Phyllis Blackburn and his brother, Paul Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his father, UA Blackburn. Jeff loved his family, the 49ers and the Navy. Memorial services will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fayetteville, GA on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 11:00. Interment with military honors will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, a Veterans Memorial & Family Care Provider. Online condolences at www.byarsfuneralhome.com
.Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on August 21, 2012
Jeff Blackburn was the epitome of the phrase "an Officer and a Gentleman". As a friend since our high school days in California, I knew Jeff would serve our nation with honor and dignity and then went on to provide safe transit for the public with Delta Airlines.
ReplyDeleteThe time we had with Jeff was all too short but when we were young we (the gang of six he ran with) covered a lot of ground and lived out the American dream.
From California our heart goes out to his family, his lovely wife Karen and his beloved children.
God Bless you Commander Blackburn - may your skies be clear and bright.
C. Shelby & crew.
I knew Jeff from grade school to high school. I also took Stinson beach trips with his family quite often. Sorry to hear of his passing but thanks for your service Jeff. James Stanley
DeleteHey James Stanley and C. Shelby,
DeleteThank you for these kind words regarding my father. I am just now seeing this post and would like to connect. Please feel free to shoot me an email (alanjblackburn@yahoo.com).
Alan Blackburn