Rev. Thomas A. Blackburn Sr. 72, of Bedford, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at his residence. He was born on April 1, 1945 in Lovely, a son of the late Orville and Alma Ruth (Imler) Blackburn. On July 12, 1986 in Biloxi, MS he married Joy (Newbaker) Blackburn who survives along with the following family: three sons: Tommy Blackburn and wife Nicole, of Pascagoula, MS, Billy Blackburn and wife Angela, of Gautier, MS, and Nick Blackburn and wife Gwen, of Joliet, IL; two daughters: Karen Anderson, of Pascagoula, MS, and Jeannie Hofstetter, of Gautier, MS; four step-sons: Harold Scruggs and wife Trisha, of Gautier, MS, Chris Scruggs and wife Sonya, of Gautier, MS, Scott Scruggs and wife Lisa of Ocean Springs, MS; and Larry Sadler, and wife Jessica, of Apollo; two step-daughters: Laura Tholen and husband Brian, of Hollidaysburg, and Pam Baker and husband Jim, of Centerville; 34 grandchildren: Taylor, Phillip, Ellis, Thatcher, Paige, Josiah, Levi, Caleb, Timothy, Hunter, Stonewall, Kristen, Jherica, Brandon, Dalton, Layla, Danielle, Harold Jr., Brittany, Brett, Allison, Matt, Brian, Ashley, Amber, Aaron, Jessica, Joey, Noah, Jenna, Noah, Preston, Jonathan, and Landan; 16 great-grandchildren: Kieran, Stella, Keagan, Kallissa, Christopher, Conner, Cole, Hazel, Camila, Colton, Hadlea, Kylie, Zooey, Liam, Evelyn Joy, and Laila; and two brothers: Joe Blackburn widower of Faye, of Ryot, Sam Blackburn and wife Joyce, of Fishertown. He was preceded in death by two grandsons: Silas Boaz Blackburn, and Jimmy Baker; a brother, James R. Blackburn, and a sister, Orpha Ruth Klotz.
Thomas was 1964 graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School, and went on to serve in the United States Army. He worked as a structural welder in the ship yards and then drove truck becoming an owner-operator. He then found his calling and became a Methodist Pastor through the Johnstown District of the United Methodist Church and served at the following churches: Wilmore-Lily, Espyville, Cresson, Gallitzin, Ambry, and was currently serving at the New Paris United Methodist Church. Thomas enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards, hunting, and was a family man. He enjoyed serving his church families, bible studies, and spreading the word of God.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford with Jim Miller officiating. Burial at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. Friends will be received on Thursday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial contribution’s in Thomas’s name to: New Paris United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 347 New Paris, PA 15554. Our online guestbook is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.