Kenneth Blackburn was born on January 6, 1924 in Muskogee County, Oklahoma and passed away on August 16, 2016 in Muskogee, OK. Kenneth was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by his parents, William Nelson Blackburn and Julia Evelyn Walls-Blackburn; his sister, Ona Mae Keasling; brothers, Emory, Harley, and Arthur Blackburn; nephew, Johnny Blackburn; and niece, Martha Keasling Finney. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Blackburn (Harley) of Scottsdale, AR; nephews, Wayne Blackburn of AR and James Keasling (Emily) of Muskogee; nieces, Joyce Whealy (Perry) of Bakersfield, CA, Linda Goss (Dick) of Muskogee, Belinda York (Ron) of Shelton, WA, Ginger Wagner of Chandler, AZ, Jeanette Haynes (Bill) of San Jose, CA; nephew-in-law, Don Finney of Bakersfield, CA; many great nieces and nephews.

Kenneth graduated from Webbers Falls High School and moved to Muskogee at a young age. He worked at Motter Book Binding Company where he met his future wife, Margie "Stormy" Raney. Margie was a free-spirited person who was quite artistic, sketching the design of their church (First Baptist) which still is seen on their church bulletin today. Margie preceded Kenneth in death in 2002. Kenneth worked at Frisco Meat Market for several years and joined the Muskogee Fire Department in 1952 where he served for 33 years retiring as Assistant Fire Chief. Fire fighters affectionately called him "Big Daddy". Kenneth was also employed at Moffitt-Duncan-Nichols (Beckman Insurance) and served as the Election Board Secretary for Muskogee County.

Kenneth joined First Baptist Church of Muskogee in 1955, and over the years served as usher, greeter, driver of the church bus for the children's choir, and served as an ordained deacon on the Deacon Board.

He was active in the community participating in the Optimist club, the Debate Club, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge 430, and Bedouin Shrine.

Kenneth lived at Dogwood Creek Assisted Living Facility from 2000 to 2016. He spent the last few weeks at Pleasant Valley Health Care Facility where he passed away. The family would like to express their appreciation for the care he received at Dogwood Creek and Pleasant Valley and the assistance of hospice. Also, the extended family would like to express their appreciation of the loving and consistent care of Kenneth by his nephew, James Keasling, and his wife, Emily, and by his niece, Linda Goss, and her husband, Dick. A very special thanks to the honor guard of the Muskogee Fire Department for their service.

Pallbearers will be Dick Goss, Mike Trimble, Roy Rains, and Steve Goss. Honorary pallbearers include Gary Parker, Ben Robinson, Mike Norman, Charlie Bowman, and Bunky Tatum.

Viewing for Kenneth will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016, from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 1:00 P.M. to 6 P.M. at Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home, 2801 Chandler Road, Muskogee. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Rex Wilkinson officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.