Daniel Eugene Blackburn

Daniel E. ?Gene? Blackburn, age 71, of Harrah, OK, was born on July 17, 1932, in Sulphur, OK. He was the son of Daniel L. and Gertrude Gephart Blackburn. He departed this earth on September 7, 2003, in Midwest City, OK. Gene graduated from Sulphur High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954. In June 1953, he married Allene Pendergraft in Sulphur, OK. From 1954 to 1957, he was a police officer for the City of Sulphur, OK and attended East Central in Ada, OK. In 1957, Gene joined the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol and attained the rank of Lieutenant before retiring in 1983. During his 26 years of service, he was stationed at the Oklahoma Governor?s Mansion working for Governor David Hall and Governor George Nigh. He was a member of the Harrah First Baptist Church, and the McLoud Masonic Lodge 126. He enjoyed trading guns and knives, hunting, and playing dominoes. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joe Blackburn; and two sisters, Kathleen Ezell and Weona Thomas. Survivors include his wife, Allene Blackburn, Harrah, OK; son & daughter-in-law, Jeff & Lynette Blackburn, Harrah, OK; daughter, Debbie Burchett, Harrah, OK; 4 brothers & 1 sister-in-law, Jack & LaJune Blackburn, Tulsa, OK, Bob Blackburn, Sulphur, OK, Danny Blackburn, Texas, Wayne Blackburn, Sulphur, OK;1 sister, Rhonda Crittenden, Chickasha, OK; step-mother, Audrey Blackburn, Sulphur, OK; 3 grandchildren, Stephanie Puckett, Spring Lake, NC, Lance Burchett, Harrah, OK, Colby Blackburn, Harrah, OK. Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 10, 2003, at the First Baptist Church, Harrah, OK. Interment will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery, Harrah, OK. Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.