After almost 64 years of incredible living, Randall (Randy) Lee Blackburn, of Vancouver, Washington, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed by his family: wife, Marlene, and nine children, Jeanne, Vanessa, Melissa, Lucas, Thomas, Sarah, Miranda, Kace and Tayton. His strength will be remembered by a wonderful circle of loved ones near and far, including his 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was born Dec. 20, 1951, in Brewster, to LeLand and Florence Blackburn, the first of two children. He grew up in Twisp where, after graduating from Liberty Bell Junior-Senior High School, he worked in a sawmill and as a logger, and several other odd jobs until he found his calling as a police officer. He served 22 years of dedicated service between the Rock Island and Mattawa police departments. While serving as the chief of police for the Mattawa Police Department, he also wrote for the Mattawa Area News and served as a deacon in his local church.
He met the love of his life, Marlene, as a teenager and many years later, after reconnecting, married her on Nov. 11, 1982, in Rock Island, Washington. Together they fostered more than 30 foster children.
After retiring from law enforcement in 2005, he moved with his family to Washougal and then eventually to Vancouver. To pass the time, he picked up at job at Fisherman’s Marine and Outdoor, an outdoor store in Portland where he met some of his closest friends.
Randy was an avid fisherman and fished for anything that gave him a good fight, which most recently included cod, halibut and his favorite, tuna. In his final days, he enjoyed watching hummingbirds and squirrels as they visited the feeders he set up right outside his front window.
He is survived by his wife and children and was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert.
He will be remembered as the strong, hard-working and loving man that he was and will be missed by all.
There will be a private graveside service held in the spring at the Beaver Creek Cemetery in Twisp. Flowers, gifts and condolences will be accepted at his residence at 3517 Y St., Vancouver, WA 98663. For more information, please contact Miranda Coleman at (360) 550-7292.
