After a courageous and well-fought battle with cancer, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend passed away Oct. 8, 2013, at home.
He was born July 5, 1920, to Charles Warren and Hazel Del (Ferguson) Blackburn in Winlaw, British Columbia. He was the third of seven children. When he was 7 the family trekked south to Bridgeport, where they lived for several years, later moving to the Methow Valley.
In 1942, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Army even though he was a Canadian citizen. He was moved to the Army Air Corps where he trained as a clerk, truck driver, meat cutter and then as a radio operator in a B-29. His crew had received orders to head overseas when the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of sergeant. He then returned to the Methow Valley where he was to spend the rest of his life.
On Aug. 31, 1948, Lee married Florence May (Corky) Daniels in Pateros, after knowing her for a whopping two weeks. They went on to raise two sons, Randy and Bob.
Lee worked at the sawmill in Twisp until his retirement in June 1982. He retired from there as head electrician.
There was nothing more in this world that Lee loved to do than deer hunting. He was extremely accomplished at that, and could spend hours reminiscing about past hunts.
Lee is survived by his son Randy of Vancouver, Wash.; his sister Dorothy (Gary) Thompson of Blanchard, Idaho; and very special friend Doris McConnell of Omak. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Corky, son Rob, his brothers and one sister. Also preceding him were his mother Hazel, father Charles and stepfather Bert Beagle. His uncle Claude Ferguson and Aunt Anna, who were very special in his life, also preceded him. His special friend Thelma (Babe) Loucks also preceded him.
There will be no services as per Dad’s request. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Frontier Home Health and Hospice or Aero Methow Rescue Service.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel and the Okanogan Co. Crematory of Okanogan are caring for the arrangements.
