John R. “Jack” Blackburn, Jr. 93, of Bedford died on April 4, 2016 at this residence.  He was born on December 19, 1922, in Johnstown, a son of the late J. Russell, Sr. and Hazel (Barnett) Blackburn.  On June 19, 1948 in Darien, CT, he married Elizabeth Carroll ”Betsy” Larney and she preceded him in death on October 1, 2006 after 58 years of marriage.  Jack is survived by five children:  John R. Blackburn, III and wife Stacy of Bedford, Carroll Anne “DeeDee”  Clark and husband Travis “Charlie” of Bedford, Dr. Susan E. Blackburn and husband William Baskin of Batavia, NY, William J. Blackburn, and companion Sue Sheirer of Bedford, and Kathryn A. Mason, widow of Robert of Dillsburg. Seven grandchildren: John R. Blackburn, IV, Lt. Col Brian Wolford and wife Tina Marie, Elizabeth A. and husband Jason Barnes, Juliana Blackburn- Baskin, William Blackburn, Jr., Mark Blackburn, Jason Bleecker and wife Jill.  Seven great-grandchildren:  Alexa Jo and Broc A. Wolford, Claudia E. Barnes, Shanzie Price, Travis Blackburn, Adaline and Maycie Bleecker.  Jack is also survived by his brother’s four children and his sister-in-law’s four children and their families.

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved brother Robert B. whose widow, Bonnie (Bowser) Blackburn  survives of Everett, a sister-in-law Marietta Seacord and her husband Daniel, and infant granddaughter Ashlee Nicole.

Jack was a lifelong resident of Bedford. He was the valedictorian of Bedford High School Class of 1940.  After high school, he entered Dartmouth College located in Hanover, NH as the Class of 1944. Due to the war he did not graduate until 1946 with a major in physics.  In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was trained as a Communications Officer at Yale University.  He received his commission as a second lieutenant and with further training in Florida he earned his wings as a Flying Radar Countermeasures Officer (RCM).  Jack served with the 312th bomb group, 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theater as the only outfit flying the new B-32 “VERY HEAVY” bombers.  He was on a photo reconnaissance mission over Tokyo, Japan after the war was “officially over” and survived an aerial fight with the five Japanese Zeros!  After the war, Jack returned to Bedford and joined the family business, Blackburn-Russell Co. Inc. as a partner and later became President until his retirement in 1993. Jack was a past member of Rotary International, a life member of Bedford Elks Lodge 1707, a life member of Bedford American Legion Post 113, and also served for several years on the finance committee of St. Thomas Catholic Church of which he was a lifelong member.  Most important to Jack was his affiliation with the Memorial Hospital of Bedford County (later to become UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital).  He became a member of the board of directors in 1955 and served for 53 years.  He was the chairman of the board for 22 of those years until his retirement in 2008.  He was also on the Board of Trustees at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).  He was on the Board of the Spring House Estates (later to become Homewood) where he was the first President.  Jack loved to bowl.  He was a co-sponsor for the Blackburn-Russell bowling team for many years.  He was an avid golfer, and the Bedford Springs was always one of his favorite courses.  Jack enjoyed foreign travel and along with his wife Betsy, spent many years traveling all over the world.  His two most favorite places to visit were Turkey and Morocco.  Jack loved to fly.  He obtained his private pilot’s license during the war and he and his wife enjoyed taking many flying trips out of the old airport in Cessna.  His lifelong hobby was collecting matchbox labels and boxes that he traded worldwide with his many “hobby” friends.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Bedford with Father Donald Dusza, celebrant.  Burial at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Friends will be received on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jack’s name to the Memorial Hospital of Bedford County Foundation c/o UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital, 10455 Lincoln Highway, Everett, Pa 15537.   Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.

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