Graveside service for SSG (Retired) John Blackburn, Jr., 80, Lawton will be at 1:00 pm Monday, December 22, 2014 in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Bruce Bomgardner, Outlaw Ministries, Lawton officiating. SSG Blackburn died Thursday, December 18, 2014 in a Lawton hospital. Burial with full military honors will be under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. The family will greet friends Sunday evening, December 21, 2014 from 5pm until 6pm at the funeral home. He was born April 2, 1934 in Stone, Kentucky to John, Sr and Sylvania Ann (Coleman) Blackburn. He married Helma M. Rother on March 6, 1957 in Hannau, Germany. He retired from the US Army on June 30, 1975 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served tours in France, Germany, Turkey, Korea and Vietnam. While in the Army he earned the following awards and medals: the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device, Good Conduct Medal 6th award, National Defense Service Medal-1st oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Korea, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/palm, Army of Occupation Medal - Germany, Driver Mechanic Badge, 3 Overseas Bars, Sharpshooter Qualification-Rifle, Marksman M-14 Rifle and Expert-Carbine. After his retirement, John spent many years working as an auto mechanic in Lawton, before finally retiring in 2000 due to his health. He is survived by his wife Helma of the home, three children, Sylvia and Ronnie Pulley, Sonnja Avens and Steven Blackburn, all of Lawton, two sisters, Alice Grover Smith of Ohio, Nocha Steele and husband Elbert of Tennessee, a brother James "Buddy" Blackburn and wife Sarah of Kentucky, three grandchildren, Jordan Pulley, Sarah Billheimer and husband Brad, Joshua Pulley and wife Carolyn and five great grandchildren. He was preceded by his parents and a brother Robert Blackburn. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association - Oklahoma Chapter SW Regional Office at 6425 NW Cache Road, Suite 102, Lawton, OK 73505.