Samuel Eugene "Gene" Blackburn

Samuel Eugene “Gene” Blackburn, 81, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012. He was born on September 29, 1930 in Lawtey, FL to parents D.C. and Salome Blackburn. Gene was a Korean War Veteran, having served his country in the United States Army. He had worked for many years as an insurance agent for Gulf Life Insurance Company. He was a member of the Sanford Masonic Lodge No. 62 F. & A.M. and was in the Shrine for over 50 years, having been a two time past Captain of the Provost Guard. He enjoyed sports, loved golfing and was a devoted Florida Gator fan. Gene attended Crystal Springs Baptist Church and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Kathryn Blackburn; children, Larry Blackburn and wife Lori, Jane Harvey, Kristi Finn and husband Bill and Kellie Walker and husband Mike and grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, Scott, Will, Haley, Mick, Kitty, Justin and Sydney. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, February 13, 2012 in the Broadus-Raines Chapel with Rev. Robert Davis and Rev. Clyde Wray officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Morocco Shrine, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32224 or Crystal Springs Baptist Church, 1320 Chaffee Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL 32221. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.